EXCLUSIVE
A mother who suffered serious injuries in a horrific car accident that claimed the lives of her husband and two children has woken up in hospital, as her devastated son reports that the vehicle was hit while reversing on a highway 80km away. /h.
Krystal and Phil Harris left their home in Jandowae with their daughter Ocean, 15, and son Warrior, eight, on Monday morning to travel to nearby Dalby in Queensland’s Western Downs region.
It was a routine trip the family took regularly, but tragedy struck at around 10.50am when their Nissan Terrano was allegedly hit from behind by a Landcruiser ute on Dalby-Jandowae Road in Jimbour East.
Phil, 54, and the two children died at the scene, while Harris, 46, was airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a critical condition with injuries to her chest, abdomen and arm.
A family friend told Daily Mail Australia that Harris woke up from a coma on Tuesday and will undergo back surgery.
Krystal Harris (pictured) is the only survivor of a horrific crash at Jimbour East in Queensland’s Western Downs region.
The friend said Harris was conscious at the scene and knew her husband and two children did not survive.
The friend, who hopes to visit Harris on Wednesday, said the accident has been a “nightmare” for the family and coming to terms with the tragedy “has not been easy.”
Meanwhile, Harris’ son Storm Reddacliff, 25, took to social media to slam reports that the family was reversing at the time of the crash.
According to the Courier Mail, sources close to the investigation claim Harris was behind the wheel of the Nissan and reversing to help a Western Downs Regional Council worker when the car was hit.
However, Reddacliff said that was not the case.
‘The ute (allegedly) rammed the car, killing them. There was no turning back,” she wrote.
The tragedy has rocked the tight-knit community of Jandowae, which is home to around 1,000 people, with publican Red Clark describing the family as “very polite” and Ocean and Warrior as “good kids”.
The accident claimed the lives of her husband Phil (left) and her children Ocean and Warrior (pictured center).
The family friend told Daily Mail Australia that Phil was a stay-at-home dad after suffering injuries that took him out of the workforce.
Daily Mail Australia understands Ocean, who was also called Daisy, was living with autism. She and her brother had several older siblings, who have come together to support her mother while she is in the hospital.
Reddacliff has remembered his lost loved ones as “bright lights” and created a GoFundMe to help his mother with funeral expenses.
“In memory of my beloved family, who tragically passed away in a car accident on the East Jimbour Highway from Jandowae, I humbly ask for your support,” Reddacliff wrote on social media.
‘Your donation will help cover funeral costs and support my wellbeing during this difficult time. Any contribution, big or small, will be deeply appreciated.
‘My family was a shining light in my life and their loss has left a deep impact on me.
“Your kindness and generosity will help me navigate this challenging period and honor your memory.”
A family friend told Daily Mail Australia the Harrises were regular commuters to Dalby, where they were heading on Monday when the tragedy struck (pictured: the aftermath of the crash).
Forensic accident investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash on the rural road.
The driver of the vehicle suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Dalby Patrol Group Inspector Greg Wheeler described the accident scene as “horrific” and urged drivers to take care behind the wheel.
“It was a bright, sunny day and the accident occurred on a straight, paved road,” he said.
‘With the school holidays approaching, this tragic accident is a timely reminder for us all to take responsibility, drive to the conditions and ensure we take extra care with the extra traffic we will see on our roads.
“All we can say is plan your journey, plan for a safe return home, look after your loved ones and other road users and make sure you are truly aware of what you are doing at all times.”