A heartbreaking memorial has been set up for four teenagers who were instantly killed after an early-morning joyride went horribly wrong.
Lucias Baira-Hill, 13, Cayenne Nona, 14, Rayveena Coolwell, 15, and Aaliyah Tappa Brown, 17, were found dead at the scene of the crash in Townsville in north Queensland on Sunday morning.
The teenagers were killed after a white Kia Sorrento allegedly driven on the wrong side of the road by their 14-year-old friend clipped a roundabout on Bayswater Rd in Garbutt before flipping over and hitting a light pole just before 4.30am.
The young driver was the sole survivor of the crash and was taken to Townsville University Hospital with minor injuries before being discharged later on Sunday morning.
Lucias Baira-Hill and Rayveena Coolwell were identified as a victim of the horror car crash in Townsville on Sunday
Cayenne Nona was remembered online as a ‘beautiful soul’, while a funeral fundraiser has been set up for Aaliyah Tappa Brown after her death in the crash
He has been charged with the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and burglary and possessing dangerous drugs.
The 14-year-old will appear in Townsville Children’s Court later this month.
A memorial has been set up near the crash site for the four victims, with flowers, balloons and messages left by loved ones.
Tributes have flown on social media, with Cayenne Nona remembered as a ‘beautiful soul’.
‘No more visits anymore, going to you miss you coming around!’ one tribute reads. ‘Your beautiful nature and your beautiful soul we miss you already.
‘Just wish it wasn’t true. Gone but not forgotten.’
The wreckage of the white Kia Sorrento after the smash. The 14-year-old driver was the only survivor
Funeral fundraisers have been launched for Lucias Baira-Hill and Aaliyah Tappa Brown, with more than $6,000 raised by generous supporters.
A donor posted on Lucias’ GoFundMe he was ‘taken way before your time’.
Aaliyah’s parents thanked donors for their love and support during this tough time.
‘We humbly ask Whanau, friends, or generous others for any assistance to enable us to appropriately farewell our daughter,’ they posted.
Queensland Police superintendent Glen Pointing said the crash involved a car stolen from Idalia, which was reportedly being driven dangerously in the moments before it crashed.
The car clipped a roundabout before slamming into a light pole at around 4.30am on Sunday
‘There were some reports those vehicles were driving dangerously,’ he told reporters.
‘At no stage did police pursue that vehicle or try and stop that vehicle.’
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the loss of life in Sunday’s crash was ‘tragic beyond words’.
‘This is horrific – four young people have lost their lives and there are four families that will be grieving,’ she told reporters.
Horrific photos taken at the scene showed the car’s mangled wreckage scattered across the road at the suburban intersection.
A single car tyre meanwhile was seen standing upright on the road several hundred metres from the accident site.
A single car tyre was found standing upright several hundred metres away from the crash site
The four teenagers are among eight deaths on Queensland roads in a horror 72 hours.
An infant died in a crash on Saturday in Mackay, while two men died in a three-vehicle collision at Bethania on Sunday and a 29-year-old woman died after a motorcycle accident in Carole Park on Monday morning.
Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating reminded motorists to stay safe behind the wheel.
‘We have seen a range of circumstances where families are now without loved ones,’ he said.
‘The number of people who have died on Queensland roads this year is up dramatically in comparison to this time last year and it’s not acceptable.
‘Police will continue to conduct enforcement activities; however motorists need to take control and drive responsibly on our roads.
‘Poor actions and decisions have grave consequences, not only for you but for those who care about you.’
Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating urged motorists to stay safe behind the wheel after eight deaths on Queensland roads in 72 hours