A GLEN INNES police officer who was called out to a car accident that claimed the lives of two young men in the early hours of yesterday morning was horrified to discover one of the victims was his own son.
A third young man is fighting for his life in Newcastle’s John Hunter hospital.
The smash, the second multiple fatality in the town in a week, has brought Glen Innes’s road toll up to five in just six days.
Yesterday a growing collection of flowers turned the tree, struck by the early 1990s Commodore in which the men were travelling, into an improvised shrine.
Police were called at about 12.30am yesterday where they found two 17-year-olds dead in the wreckage.
The third occupant, the 18-year-old backseat passenger, was badly injured and trapped.
Members of the Glen Innes Volunteer Rescue Association worked with Rural Fire Service, NSW Fire Brigade, ambulance and Glen Innes, Inverell and Bundarra police officers for more than two hours to free him.
Police said the vehicle was being driven by an unsupervised learner driver.
The NSW Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione, said the Glen Innes senior constable suffered an unimaginable tragedy.
“This police officer was simply doing his job. He went to a motor vehicle accident, and (the) tragedy of being confronted with his own son is beyond description,” he said.
“From the police family perspective, our hearts and prayers go out to the family at this terrible time.”
Police are yet to release any names in relation to the accident. They said relatives were still being informed yesterday afternoon.
Acting New England Commander Greig Stier said the officer involved had received grief counselling and internal and external assistance. This included a police chaplain and a peer support officer. Relatives of the other teenage boys have also been provided with counselling and police assistance.
The accident happened within a few kilometres of the
site of a Saturday night riverside party at Red Range.
Witnesses said the teens had been at the celebration earlier in the evening.
Police were notified by a Triple-0 call about 12.30am and travelled to Pinkett Rd at Red Range.
Police said the Holden Commodore “left the road, struck a tree stump and became airborne before it hit a second tree”.
They said the accident site appeared to show both youths in the front seats would have been killed instantly in the high impact smash. The third passenger was trapped in the rear driver’s side of the vehicle.
After two-and-a-half hours he was freed from the mangled wreck and rushed to Glen Innes Hospital.
A treatment team was flown from Tamworth via Westpac Rescue Helicopter to meet him.
The helicopter later transferred him to John Hunter Hospital.
Yesterday medical staff described his condition as serious but stable.
Detective Inspector Stier went to the scene of the crash.
“It was unfortunate and tragic,” he said.
“People have got to slow down. It is well publicised that young males are at greatest risk. Motor vehicles and celebrations don’t mix.”
Detective Inspector Stier praised the swift and meticulous work of the emergency services attending the scene.
“The professionalism of the emergency services has been outstanding. Their response and their actions show they are very capable units. That has been shown at both accident scenes,” he said.
The Glen Innes community is still reeling from another fatal car collision a week ago that claimed the lives of three local residents, Keith and Shane Holloway and Gary Fields.
Yesterday they were again in mourning with two more funerals to be planned.
Glen Innes Severn Council mayor Steve Toms said he was numb from the shock of another accident.
“I am only just coming to grips with the news and like the community I am shocked, in disbelief,” he said.
“It should be noted these two accidents are completely unrelated.
“Our thoughts are with the families that are dealing with such terrible loss,” he said.
Police are continuing to interview witnesses and anyone with information should contact police on
6732 9799 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.