The Limestone Coast community has wrapped its arms around a Mount Gambier family following a horrific fatal car crash.
The Eykelenburg family was involved in a three-car collision near Nangwarry on Sunday, which claimed the lives of two of their children.
About 2.40pm on Sunday, emergency services were called to the Riddoch Highway after reports of a three-car crash about five kilometres south of Nangwarry.
A black Holden sedan collided with an emu, with no injuries suffered by the female driver and sole occupant.
A grey Toyota station wagon braked to avoid the collision, while a white Nissan ute crashed into the rear of the Toyota.
Sadly, a five-year-old boy, who was a passenger in the Toyota, died at the scene.
Another passenger, a 15-year-old girl was taken to hospital with critical injuries. Tragically the girl died in hospital on Monday night.
The driver of the Toyota, a 42-year-old man and three other passengers, a 46-year-old woman, a 13-year-old girl and a six-year-old boy were taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
All of the occupants of the Toyota were from Mount Gambier.
The driver of the Nissan, a 22-year-old man from Mount Gambier was not injured but taken to hospital as a precaution and has since been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and four counts of causing harm by dangerous driving
The fundraiser’s organiser Tara Button said the family had already been doing it tough before the accident.
“I feel hopeless as a friend and can only do so much for them. I hate asking for money but I need to do something to help them with all the unexpected costs while they heal and grieve,” she said.
“All I can do is ask for people to offer their love, healing and if possible a little money just to help. I know anything will be greatly appreciated by them and by myself.”
Meanwhile, the Blue Lake Golf Club will host a nine-hole Ambrose on November 16 to raise funds for the family.
Numerous local businesses have already nominated to sponsor holes, showcasing the strength of community support.
Visit www.gofundme.com/f/chris-and-paula-eykelenburg?qid=ce6ecf0119876e9a6abcd9fe6b9dd58c to donate to the gofundme fundraiser which has been set up for the family.
