The 18-year-old driver of the Nissan Navara was the sole survivor of the fatal crash in south-west Sydney about 7.50pm on Tuesday. 8 Lilly Van De Putte was killed in the horrific crash on Tuesday afternoonCredit: Facebook 8 Antonio Desisto died along with his school friends when the car crashed into a treeCredit: Facebook 8 Summer Williams was among the teenagers found in the wreckage of the Nissan NavaraCredit: Facebook 8 Gabrielle McLellan also died in the devastating crash that rocked SydneyCredit: Facebook 8 Tyrese Bechard was the fifth victim of the fatal incidentCredit: FACEBOOK Antonio Desisto, Tyrese Bechard, Summer Williams, Lily Van De Putte and Gabriella McLennan – all aged between 14 and 16 – died when the vehicle “went off the road and collided with a large piece of gum”. The community has been shocked by the tragic incident that crumpled the four-seater pickup truck driven by Tyrell Edwards. He was miraculously found lying next to the wreckage with non-life threatening injuries and was rushed to Liverpool Hospital. A breath test was taken and returned negative before a mandatory blood and urine test. The 18-year-old was arrested but has so far been released without charge. Police are expected to question him further in the coming days. Police confirmed that three girls, two aged 14 and a 15-year-old, and two boys, aged 15 and 16, were found dead in the car, with officers describing the scene as “disturbing”. Locals who heard the impact tried to revive the teenagers before first responders arrived, according to the NSW Ambulance Service. Shocking images show the Nissan was torn to pieces in the crash.
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But the father of one of the late schoolgirls told the ABC he holds no grudge against P-plate driver Edwards. Lily’s dad, John Van De Putte, said: “We don’t hold a grudge against the driver because he’s going to go through hell.” A relative of the 18-year-old told local media that he and his family were “distraught”, adding: “Everyone is grieving.” Hordes of flowers and tributes have been left at the scene, as friends of the tragic teenagers sobbed at the crash site. A friend said he was “angry” when he found out the five teenagers had been killed in the September 6 crash. Jamarley Frail told the Daily Mail: “I know many of the victims in the accident. I don’t know why she was with him in the car. “It doesn’t make sense to me. I’m angry about what happened.” We don’t hold a grudge against the driver because he will go through hell. John Van De Putte Superintendent Paul Fuller said it was one of the worst accident scenes he had seen in 38 years. He explained: “It is a terrible accident scene and a traumatic event like this will have a devastating impact on families, friends and the local community. “We believe some of the children go to the local high school. “We spoke with the high school principal to facilitate some counseling at the school tomorrow when the students arrive.” NSW Fire and Rescue Superintendent Adam Dewberry said it was “absolute chaos and devastation” at the scene. “All the emergency services, police, ambulance, were faced with a major, critical, traumatic scene,” he added. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
TEENAGE TRAGEDIES
Acting Inspector Jason Hogan said preliminary investigations indicated speed was a “likely factor” in the fatal crash. He added: “The scene was extremely traumatic and the circumstances surrounding the damage will be investigated by our vehicle examiners. “The scene will be interpreted by the crash investigation unit and our forensics team to reconstruct what we can about the crash.” Murat Dizdar, Deputy Secretary for the NSW Department of Education, said the victims had attended Picton High School. He said students were offered on-site counseling after the “extremely distressing and disturbing” incident. Local councilor Michael Banasik called it a “terrible tragedy”. “It’s devastating for Buxton and the general community, you know, it’s just horrible,” he told 9 News. “Buxton is a lovely place, small, small town and yes, this is a terrible tragedy, wherever it happened.” 8 It is believed that some of the victims could be as young as 14 or 15 years oldCredit: 9News 8 Superintendent Paul Fuller said it was one of the worst accident scenes he had seen in 38 yearsCredit: 9News 8 NSW Fire and Rescue Superintendent Adam Dewberry said it was “absolutely chaotic and devastating” at the sceneCredit: 9News
