11 hours ago
Camping tragedy on long weekend as teen girl killed in overturned 4WD: 'Scary to see'
Travellers and campers are being urged to be careful and sensible on the road and off it, after the tragic death of a teen girl over the long weekend when a 4WD allegedly rolled multiple times.
A group of teenagers were travelling in the vehicle when it left the road and rolled several times on Saturday night, West Australian police said.
The group had earlier been camping at Logue Brook Dam, also known as Lake Brockman, in the southwest of the state, before the accident in Hoffman.
A 15-year-old female passenger died from her injuries at the scene.
A 16-year-old male driver and a 17-year-old male passenger were rushed to Bunbury Regional Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
Meanwhile an 18-year-old male passenger and two 16-year-old female passengers who were also in the vehicle at the time were being treated for minor injuries.
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Several campers rushed to the scene to try and help after they heard a loud bang and a woman screaming, the ABC reported. Among them was Jett and his mate Rocquo.
"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," Jett said, according to the national broadcaster.
"There was so many people running towards the car and trying to help but there's only so much you can do in that situation."
Rocquo reportedly helped rip a door off to free a male passenger. "We were trying to get everyone out but you can't do anything and it's just sad," he said.
After witnessing the confronting scene, they hope it will serve as a reminder for Aussies to take care on the roads.
In Western Australia, drivers can't obtain their provisional licence until the age of 17.
Major Crash investigators are conducting an examination of the scene and are appealing for anybody with dash-cam footage of the incident to come forward.
Logue Brook Dam has long been a popular spot for campers and travellers in WA, often drawing big crowds over long weekends and holiday periods. Earlier this year, reports of bad behaviour of the Australia Day long weekend prompted authorities to review its "visitor management strategies" — potentially leading to changes in free camping access as officials consider public safety and protecting the natural environment.
"The Parks and Wildlife Service will continue to deploy rangers and work closely with WA Police to ensure compliance with regulations," a DBCA spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia at the time.
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