A teacher’s aide killed in a horror head-on smash has been remembered as a bright ray of sunshine who touched everyone’s lives.
Tributes are pouring in Yatala mum-of two Julia May, 47, after she died in a high speed collision on Gold coast’s outskirts on Monday night.
Her teen daughters Taylah, 15, and Caitlyn, 17, were also rushed to hospital, while husband Jason, 46, was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a serious condition.
The couple celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary just last week while their eldest daughter was days away from sitting her final ATAR exam.
The family were travelling along a semi-rural road at Cedar Creek shortly before 6.30pm when their four-wheel drive collided with another 4WD travelling in the opposite direction.
Rivermount College has been devastated by Ms May’s death where she has worked as a prep teacher’s aide since 2010, a year after her eldest daughter started at the school.
The Yatala community has been rocked by the death of Julia May (left). Daughters Taylah (second left) and Caitlyn (second right) and husband Jason (right) were also injured in the crash
‘Julia was the most amazing and wonderful supportive person who touched many lives in a precious way,’ principal Richard Young told Daily Mail Australia.
“it’s been a pretty sad day here to lose not only a employee but a member of a close knit community who has had a 12 year association with the school.’
‘A lot of the community have been impacted. Julia touched a lot of students.’
‘Some of Julia’s colleagues are devastated and have gone home for the day.
‘But everyone is rallying around and supporting one another.’
Mr Young has been regular contact with the family since he received the devastating news on Tuesday morning.
‘Julia’s dad are with the the girls, who have suffered broken limbs,’ Mr Young said.
‘They’ve got a long road to recovery ahead of them but they’ll pull through. I’ve been told their father is now conscious but confused.’
‘I live in the local area and heard the helicopters last night so I knew something had happened and there had been a fatality.’
Julia (right) and her husband Jason (left) celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary last week
The mother-of-two was killed in a horror head-on collision between two 4WDs travelling in opposite directions
The school has rallied around Ms May’s family and will likely hold a memorial service in due course.
Year 12 student Caitlyn was days away from sitting her last exam.
‘She had one exam left so we’ll work through that with the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority to ensure she gets an ATAR,’ Mr Young said.
‘We’ll also work with with other year 12 students, who have been left devastated that one of their classmates has been seriously injured.’
A farmer on a nearby property heard the impact of the crash on Monday night and called triple zero.
The driver of the other 4WD, a Yarrabilba man, 44, was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition.
Eleven Queensland Ambulance crews were deployed to the scene, including the high acuity response unit and a rescue helicopter.
The head-on collision occurred on Plunkett Road, which was described as ‘like a rollercoaster’ by one of the first responders.
Police described the scene they were confronted with as horrific.
‘The two cars were very badly damaged, one of the cars had been pushed off the road into the bush, so it made the rescue even more complex.’
‘Two very large four wheel drives have hit at a great rate of speed,’ Acting Inspector Mark Procter told Seven News.
The horror crash (pictured) happened on a semi-rural road described as like a rollercoaster
‘It will have an effect on everyone who has been here tonight and every one of these accidents we’ll go to in the coming weeks, months and years.’
‘They’ll just keep rolling on and on as people won’t slow down.’
Investigators from the Forensic Crash Unit spent the night examining the scene and will prepare a report from the coroner.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dash cam footage of either vehicle is urged to contact police.
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