A Queensland family traveling for a trip of a lifetime to see Taylor Swift in concert has been left heartbroken after one daughter was killed and another was placed in an induced coma following a horror crash in regional New South Wales.
Emergency crews were called after reports of a two-vehicle crash on Dunedoo Rd, Ballimore, about 18 miles northeast of Dubbo, at about 6 p.m. on Thursday.
A 16-year-old girl died at the scene, while her 10-year-old sister was flown to Sydney’s Westmead Hospital in a critical condition, and placed in an induced coma.
The two girls were traveling with their mom, who was driving to Melbourne in their SUV to see Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
The woman was treated by paramedics before being taken to Dubbo Hospital with minor injuries.
The driver of the semi-trailer was also taken to Dubbo Hospital in a stable condition.
The girls godmother, Karleigh Fox, said the girls and their mother had been so excited to see Taylor Swift, having secured tickets to both the Melbourne and Sydney shows.
“Last night one of my dearest friends was driving from the Gold Coast to Melbourne with two of her children (my god children) when they were involved in a front on collision with a semi trailer,” she wrote on the GoFundMe.
“We are heartbroken to have lost one of her children (aged 16) whilst the 10-year-old has been lifted to Westmead Hospital in critical condition, fighting for her life with brain injuries, a damaged pelvis, and a broken leg.
“This was supposed to be a road trip of a lifetime with them going to concerts in both Melbourne and Sydney.”
Fox said the rest of the family had since flown to Sydney to be at the bedside of the 10-year-old girl who remains in hospital.
Her mother is expected to fly from Dubbo on Saturday.
“I’m so overwhelmed with the outpouring of generosity and love towards the family, wow over $4k already,” Fox wrote in an update on Saturday morning.
“Thank you. As you can imagine there is a lot of work ahead of us and this will help immensely to reduce some of the pressure.”
The fundraiser has since raised more than $10,000 at the time of publication.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
