A teenager who died along with his best friend in a terrible car accident that also claimed the lives of a couple tragically lost his father two years ago.
Lochie Jacobs, 18, and his childhood friend Joey Urban, 19, were passengers in a ute which collided head-on with a van on the Newell Highway, in Tomingley, just south of Dubbo, in the central west of New South Wales, around 9:20 p.m. Friday.
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.
The van’s passengers, Parkes Early Childhood Center deputy director Sue Tait and her husband Graham, both 57 and who share five children, also died.
Tributes have poured in for the two teenagers and the couple following the crash, as police investigate what caused the fatal collision.
“RIP Lochie, give your dad the biggest hug, he’ll be so proud of the young man you’ve 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.
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.
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 a promising bull rider and “one of the funniest bastards” among his friends.
Parkes Early Childhood Center announced the death of its deputy headteacher and her husband on Sunday, prompting heartbreaking tributes from locals.
“Sue has worked at PECC for 17 years, she was known for being a strong and consistent backbone of PECC who really enjoyed coming to work every day,” the Facebook post reads.
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).
Parkes Early Childhood Center deputy director Sue Tait and her husband Graham (both pictured) also tragically died in the crash.
‘Her husband Graham was a highly respected and experienced coach driver.
“Sadly they leave behind five children who need our love and support right now, they are between 26 and 16 years old.”
TO GoFundMe has raised more than $11,000 in a matter of hours to help support Tait’s children.
“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.
First responders who responded to the shocking crash are receiving counseling while wrecked vehicles have been seized as part of investigations.
