3 days ago
Teenage girl is killed in horror 4WD crash after camping trip with mates goes horribly wrong in long weekend tragedy
A teenage girl has died after a horrific 4WD accident while camping with friends over the long weekend.
Caitlyn Bragger, 15, was in a Toyota LandCruiser with five other teens when it crashed near campgrounds at Lake Brockman, south of Perth, 8pm on Saturday.
Western Australia Police said the teenagers had been camping in the area while a 16-year-old boy was behind the wheel at the time.
Caitlyn died of her injuries at the scene.
A 17-year-old boy and the driver were raced to Bunbury Regional Hospital. An 18-year-old boy and two 16-year-old girls also suffered minor injuries.
Other nearby campers said they had seen the car's headlights moving through the trees before the crash.
They then heard a 'loud bang' and a 'woman screaming'.
Caitlyn's family said they were 'broken and in pieces' after losing their 'beautiful girl'.
A GoFundMe has since been launched to help the family during their time of need.
'She bought a ray of sunshine everywhere she went, [she was] so outgoing and never left a dull moment in life,' the fundraiser read.
'Known for her kindness, unique sense of humour, and devotion to her family and friends.
'Her family are now left broken and in pieces, lost and confused. No one ever expects something like this to happen, you can't prepare yourself.
'Forever 15, forever in our memory and hearts. Our Angel In Heaven.'
Some $9,000 had been raised for the family by Tuesday.
Caitlyn's aunt Danica Pierce said her heart was 'seriously struggling to take all this pain'.
'You are going to be so missed, now an angel in heaven but way too young, my heart breaks,' she said.
Witnesses at Lake Brockman said the LandCruiser had been crumpled in the crash.
One of the boys who rushed to the group's aid, Jett, said it was a confronting sight.
'When I walked up there, there was a massive four-wheel-drive that had been smashed like a tin can, it was scary to see,' he told the ABC.
'There (were) so many people running towards the car and trying to help but there's only so much you can do in that situation.'
His friend Rocquo said he managed to pull a rear door from the car to free a male passenger, but felt helpless after seeing the car's roof caved in at its front end.
'It was a shock because you feel hopeless because you can't do anything and we were trying to pick the roof up and we were trying to get everyone out but you can't do anything and it's just sad,' he said.
Major Crash investigators continued to examine the scene with WA Police on Monday.
Officers appealed for anybody with dash-cam footage of the incident to come forward.
In Western Australia, drivers cannot obtain a provisional driving permit until they are 17 years of age.
