A couple who died in a horror head-on crash in central western New South Wales left behind five children aged between 16 and 26.
A van carrying three teenagers collided with a van carrying Graham and Sue Tait, both 57, on the Newell Highway, 35km south of Dubbo, at 9.20pm on Friday night.
Last night, Parkes Early Childhood Center shared the sad news that its assistant principal, Mrs Tait, and her bus driver husband died in the accident.
“Over the weekend, our incredible assistant director Sue Tait and her husband Graham were tragically killed in a head-on collision,” a statement read.
‘Sue has worked at PECC for 17 years. She was known for being a strong and consistent backbone of PECC and really enjoyed coming to work every day.
“Her husband Graham was a highly respected and experienced coach driver.”
The children’s center has remained open despite the tragedy.
Parkes Shire Council Deputy Mayor Marg Applebee shared a touching memory of the couple.
Parkes Early Childhood Center deputy director Sue Tait and her husband Graham (both pictured) also tragically died in the crash.
‘This was such heartbreaking news. I first met Sue when my men were little people. “It’s hard to believe I will never see his smiling, friendly face again,” she said.
‘Thank you Miss Sue and Graham for being part of the positive, trustworthy and encouraging framework of our community.
‘Love to your family, dear people. Our community embraces you all. “Parts of our community are gone, but they have not been forgotten.”
More than a hundred locals had shared memories of the Taits’ kindness both in their jobs and in the wider community.
Former parents and students remembered “Miss Sue” as a woman who “always had a happy, welcoming smile.”
One neighbor recalled the years he spent visiting the Taits’ “happy home” for “a cup of tea and a chat.”
“A very empathetic and sensitive soul, Sue always had a smile and a positive attitude, something that endeared her to all PECC staff and families over the years,” another recalled.
“I will always be grateful for your encouragement in parenting, your guidance in helping my daughter grow with confidence, and your commitment to our community,” one grateful mother wrote.
TO GoFundMe has raised more than $22,000 in one day to help support the Taits’ children.
Lochie Jacobs, 18, and his childhood friend Joey Urban, 19, were passengers in a Toyota HiLux which collided head-on with Mr and Mrs Tait’s van.
Paramedics desperately tried to revive the teenagers but they died at the scene, while the 23-year-old ute driver was rushed to hospital with leg injuries.
Lochie Jacobs, 18, died in the car crash Friday night. He and his best friend tragically lost their lives.
Joey Urban, 19, also died in the crash, near Dubbo in central western New South Wales.
Tributes have also poured in for the couple. Loved ones mourned the loss of Lochie just two years after burying his father.
“Rest in peace Lochie, give your dad the biggest hug, he will be so proud of the young man you have become,” one loved one wrote.
‘Last night the world lost a beautiful young man. “Two years ago I attended your father’s funeral, but I never thought I’d have to go to your funeral, Lochie,” said another.
Some of the wreckage was left on the side of the road on Sunday, where the teens’ friends began laying flowers in honor of the best friends.
Mr. Urban’s sister remembered him as “the best brother a sister could ask for” and said she would “drink some Tooheys” on his behalf.
“I love you so much, you will be missed by many,” he wrote.
Another friend said they can “rest easy, beautiful boys.”
‘The world is so cruel sometimes! “Too young,” they wrote.
Mr Jacobs had run a farming business, Jacobs Rural Contracting, since April after completing his studies at St Stanislaus’ Agricultural College in Bathurst.
His latest social media post on Wednesday urged his followers to donate to his friend’s mental health fundraiser.
Mr. Urban was known as “one of the funniest bastards” among his friends.
Lochie and his childhood best friend Joey Urban tragically died after the van they were traveling in collided head-on with a pickup truck on the Newell Highway on Friday night (pictured).
“My thoughts are with each and every family affected by this horror,” local MP Stephen Lawrence said on Sunday.
“I know the Parkes community will support their children.”
Lawrence described the crash as “appalling carnage” that claimed the lives of four people, bringing the death toll on New South Wales roads to 248 this year.
Investigators are looking into whether one of the drivers overtook a double-track highway train and entered a blind curve just before the accident.
Accident responders have reportedly been receiving counseling while wrecked vehicles have been seized as part of investigations.
