Buxton crash: Best friend of teenage girl killed in crash in Picton speaks of heartbreak

The best friend of a teenage girl who was killed along with four of her mates in a horror car crash has said she’s struggling to comprehend the tragedy that unfolded. 

Three girls aged between 14 and 15, and two boys aged 15 and 16 were all killed when the Nissan Navara they were in veered off the road and slammed into a tree on East Parade, Buxton, near Picton, southwest of Sydney, at about 8pm on Tuesday.  

Firefighters, paramedics and police rushed to the scene and were confronted with ‘absolute chaos’, with only the 18-year-old driver surviving.

Blaise Cox was at the scene on Wednesday morning and fought back tears as she described the loss of her dear friend.

Blaise Cox, one of the victim’s best friend, (left) said she was struggling to process the loss while her distressed mother (right) said she was ‘so upset’ about the ‘awful’ crash

Five people have been killed in a horror crash (pictured) around 100km southwest of Sydney

‘I’m feeling a bit shocked and still finding it hard to believe it. She was my best friend and like an older sister to me,’ she told the Today Show. 

‘I didn’t know it would happen so quickly.’ 

Her mother was similarly distressed and at one point put her head in her hands. 

‘I feel sorry for the family and I’m obviously worried about my girls. They’re so upset about the whole thing and so am I, it’s so awful,’ she said. 

The horror crash has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit town of Buxton.

The driver survived with non life-threatening injuries. He was taken to hospital and arrested. Six people were crammed into the five seater ute. 

Paramedics were pictured wheeling the driver towards an ambulance before he was taken to Liverpool Hospital for mandatory testing. Charges have not been laid. 

School mates are seen leaving flowers for the victims of the crash in Buxton

Camden Police Superintendent Paul Fuller said families of the victims rushed to the scene after hearing about the crash on social media – and that alcohol was not believed to be a factor. 

Supt Fuller said: ‘We had families turning up at the scene last night after finding out through social media … to identify their kids.

‘It’s a horrific accident scene and a tragedy of this magnitude is going to have ripple effects … for their families, friends and through the local community.

‘I’ve been in the police for 38 years and it’s one of the worst accident scenes I’ve ever come across.’ 

Devastated loved ones and schoolmates have been seen visiting the scene of the crash on Wednesday morning.

Many stood with their arms around each other, while others left cards and flowers. 

Loved ones leant on each other as they visited the scene in Buxton on Wednesday morning

Police tape is seen around trees at the scene on Wednesday

Mourners have left bouquets of flowers behind for the five victims killed

Picton High School have released a statement saying: ‘Our hearts go out to the family and friends of students involved in yesterday’s tragic accident.

‘At Picton High we are prioritising support for our students as they come to terms with this terrible news. Extra counselling support and alternative arrangements will be in place to help our students through this.’

Students were hurried into the campus where the NSW Department of Education is putting on additional counselling services.

Counselling will also be extended to first responders who attended the horror scene, some of whom would have recognised the victims. 

Confronting images from the scene showed the ute torn to pieces amid several trees. 

Police are appealing for anyone with dashcam footage or information about the incident to contact them, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Two distraught people are pictured at the scene of a crash that left five people dead