The crash occurred only 500 metres away from where two firefighters were killed when a tree fell on their car during the Black Saturday fires. Source: Shutterstock.
Five teenagers aged 14-16 have been killed following a single-vehicle crash in Buxton, NSW with the driver later arrested.
Emergency services were called at 8pm Tuesday night following reports a Nissan ute had struck a tree at the intersection of Orange Road and East Parade.
The 18-year-old driver escaped the crash without life-threatening injuries and was taken to Liverpool hospital for testing, however the five other passengers died at the scene.
Two boys aged 15 and 16 as well as three girls, two aged 14 and one 15 were all killed in the crash.
It’s believed that the driver returned a negative reading on his blood alcohol test and has not been charged.
Superintendent Paul Fuller called the scene a “horrific accident” and one of the worst things he’s ever seen in his 38-year long career.
“A traumatic event like this will have a devastating impact on the families, friends and the local community,” he said.
“We believe a number of the children go to the local high school.
“We have spoken to the principal of the high school to facilitate some counselling at the school tomorrow when the students arrive.”
It’s thought that the five victims attended Picton High School.
The Buxton NSW community is shattered by the deaths of 5 teenagers – 3 females / 2 males, in a horrific crash overnight. An 18 year old has survived. Friends of the teens are arriving on scene this morning, laying flowers & trying absorb the enormity of this loss. @10NewsFirstSyd pic.twitter.com/U4C1oS09Fl
— Sarah Navin (@SarahNavin) September 6, 2022
Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said despite efforts, emergency service crews knew that it wouldn’t be possible to save the teenagers.
“Unfortunately it was evident pretty early what the outcomes were,” he said.
“All of the emergency services, police, ambulance, [were] confronted with a significant, critical, traumatic scene. It was absolutely chaos and devastating.”
The identities of the victims have yet to be released.
Wollondilly Shire Mayor Matt Gould said the community has been devastated by the accident.
“The loss of so many young lives is just devastating and you can’t put into words the overwhelming loss many in our community are feeling.
“There’s an awful lot of people in the shire that are hurting today, so we need to be there to support and look out for each other. Take an extra five minutes just to check in with your family and your mates in the area and see if they need to talk.”
A report is being prepared for the coroner with police urging anyone with dashcam footage or information to come forward.
