Twin girls who died in a horrific road accident were described as “sunshine souls” by their loved ones before their lives were tragically cut short.
Sisters Macey and Riley, both seven years old, died when the Toyota Camry they were traveling in crashed into a tree halfway between Perth and Kalgoorlie.
The girls’ mother, Rachel van Oyen, 31, was behind the wheel when the vehicle left the Great Eastern Highway at Carrabin about 11am on Sunday.
The twins, who were wearing seat belts, were pronounced dead at the scene while their mother was rushed to Merredin Hospital.
Merredin local Mark Beadle, whose daughter knew the twins, asked his community to pray for Mrs van Oyen’s recovery and for her daughters.
“I don’t know how to pray for them, obviously for Rachel to recover, but beyond that I feel the need to pray,” he told the West Australian.
‘It looks so huge. It is helpful for people to pray with us.”
Twin sisters Macey and Riley, both seven years old, died when the Toyota Camry they were traveling in crashed into a tree halfway between Perth and Kalgoorlie.
It is understood the trio had been visiting family members in Kalgoorie and were heading home to Perth when they crashed.
The girls’ grandmother described them as “sunny souls” in a 2020 Facebook post.
She lovingly described her granddaughters as “beautiful, fun, sassy, magical little twins who” bring so much joy to their entire family.
Detective Sergeant Adam Matson from the major accident team told media on Monday that investigations into the “devastating” crash were ongoing.
He said detectives had not yet spoken to Mrs van Oyen, who was discharged from Merredin Hospital just hours on Sunday.
“The loss of life on WA’s roads is an absolute tragedy, but losing the lives of two seven-year-old girls in one case is extremely heartbreaking,” he said.
“This accident and the death of two girls will have a lasting impact on family, friends and the wider community.”
The girls’ mother, Rachel van Oyen, 31, was behind the wheel when the vehicle left the Great Eastern Highway (pictured) at Carrabin about 11am on Sunday.
WA Premier Roger Cook spoke of the dangers of Western Australia’s road network and sent his support to the family.
‘Obviously WA has a great highway. And we, as a state, depend more than any other state on vehicle transportation and vehicles traveling great distances. Therefore, by its very nature, it is dangerous,” he stated.
The crash closed the Great Eastern Highway for hours on Sunday, blocking a major highway through the Wheatbelt region.
Police previously appealed for anyone with information or images to come forward.
