Teenage girl is killed in horror 4WD crash after camping trip with mates goes horribly wrong

A teenage girl has died in a horror crash after a 4WD being driven by her boyfriend rolled over during a camping trip with friends. 

Caitlyn Bragger, 15, was in a Toyota LandCruiser with five other teens when it crashed near campgrounds at Lake Brockman, south of Perth, around 8pm on Saturday. 

Her 16-year-old boyfriend is understood to have been behind the wheel.

In Western Australia, drivers cannot obtain a provisional driving permit until they are 17 years of age. 

A 17-year-old boy and the driver were raced to Bunbury Regional Hospital. An 18-year-old boy and two 16-year-old girls suffered minor injuries. 

Family friend Mekayla Cowcher told Daily Mail Australia the family did not ‘hold any hate in our hearts’ for the driver.

‘What happened was a tragic accident, and we know in our hearts that Caitlyn would have forgiven him, just as she always led with love and understanding,’ she said.

‘She loved him deeply. We understand that teenagers make mistakes and poor decisions, and sadly, some carry unimaginable consequences. 

Family have reached out for help after Caitlyn Bragger (above), 15, was killed in a horror crash

Witnesses said they heard a ‘loud bang’ and found a LandCruiser full of teens ‘smashed like a tin can’ (above, the scene of the crash)

‘He now has to live with the weight of his mistake and regrets for the rest of his life—a burden far greater than any punishment. 

‘Our hope is that he finds healing, just as we try to do the same.’

She said Caitlyn had a passion for the outdoors, adding that camping, four-wheel-driving, and spending time at the beach all brought her ‘true joy’.

Caitlyn’s family said they were ‘broken and in pieces’ after losing their ‘beautiful girl’.

A GoFundMe has since been launched to help the family during their time of need. 

‘She bought a ray of sunshine everywhere she went, [she was] so outgoing and never left a dull moment in life,’ the fundraiser read. 

‘Known for her kindness, unique sense of humour, and devotion to her family and friends.

‘Her family are now left broken and in pieces, lost and confused. No one ever expects something like this to happen, you can’t prepare yourself.

The group of teenagers had been camping near Lake Brockman (above) before the crash

Another group of campers rushed to the six teen’s aid but felt ‘hopeless’ when they assessed the damage (pictured, signage at the Lake Brockman state forest)

‘Forever 15, forever in our memory and hearts. Our Angel In Heaven.’

The online fundraiser received pledges of $9,000 by Tuesday. 

Caitlyn’s aunt Danica Pierce said her heart was ‘seriously struggling to take all this pain’. 

‘You are going to be so missed, now an angel in heaven but way too young, my heart breaks,’ she said.  

Witnesses at Lake Brockman said the LandCruiser had been crumpled in the crash.

Jett, who rushed to the group’s aid, said it was a confronting sight. 

‘When I walked up there, there was a massive four-wheel-drive that had been smashed like a tin can, it was scary to see,’ he told the ABC. 

‘There (were) so many people running towards the car and trying to help but there’s only so much you can do in that situation.’

His friend Rocquo said he managed to pull a rear door from the car to free a male passenger, but the car’s roof was caved in at the front end. 

‘It was a shock because you feel hopeless because you can’t do anything and we were trying to pick the roof up and we were trying to get everyone out but you can’t do anything and it’s just sad,’ he said.

Major Crash investigators continued to examine the scene with WA Police on Monday. 

Officers appealed for anybody with footage of the incident to come forward. 

A karaoke fundraiser night at their local Australind Tavern on Friday night in an effort to ‘bring the community together’ and raise funds for Caitlyn’s farewell, Ms Cowcher said. 

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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk