Clackline fatal crash: Three men and 9yo boy dead following Wheatbelt crash

Three young brothers — one of them just nine years old — have died in a crash alongside a family friend in a tragic accident that will devastate the tightknit Wheatbelt community.

Police were called to the confronting scene in the early hours of Friday morning outside the small Wheatbelt town of Clackline — about 80km north-east of Perth.

The horrific crash unfolded when three local Wheatbelt brothers — aged 21, 19, and nine — and their 45-year-old family friend were driving along Great Eastern Highway, about 12.30am, when they lost control of the silver Nissan Navara ute they were in.

The ute left the road and slammed into a tree on a steep embankment.

All four suffered catastrophic injuries and died at the scene.

Wheatbelt Superintendent Gene Pears described the accident as “absolutely heartbreaking” and “unimaginable”.

“Any loss of life on our roads is a tragedy,” Supt. Pears told reporters.

“But when you lose three young men, three brothers and their family friend in one crash, this is a heartbreaking incident for WA.

He confirmed the 21-year-old man was driving the ute with his two younger brothers in the back seat.

The 45-year-old family friend — who police say is from NSW — was in the front passenger seat.

“My heart goes out to the families when you lose anyone, as I said in a crash, but when you lose three young men in the prime of their life and their friend, this will have lifelong impacts for that family, for their friends and for our community,” Supt. Pears said.

Supt. Pears said the scene was “confronting” for the first responders and officers who attended the grim scene.

They have been offered the appropriate support services in the aftermath, he said.

Major crash detectives are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Supt. Pears said while the investigation is in its preliminary stages, factors such as fatigue, whether they were wearing a seatbelt, speeding and mobile phone usage will form part of the investigation.

He reminded drivers — particularly on regional roads — to drive to the conditions.

“Do not drink and drive or use drugs and drive,” he said.

“If you drive particularly long distances in the dark in remote locations, you take suitable rest periods.

“Wear your seatbelt, and please do not touch your phones at all.”

Homelessness and Housing Minister John Carey expressed his condolences over the “deeply tragic” incident.

“West Australians’ thoughts are with this family,” Mr Carey said.

“It’s heartbreaking for the family. I also want to acknowledge the work of the first responders, police and ambulance to a scene.”

There have been 55 road fatalities in WA this year, the highest for the year to date since 2016.

More fatal crashes have happened on regional roads, with 31 deaths to date this year.

There have been 24 fatalities on metropolitan roads.

Major crash investigators are urging anyone with any information relating to this crash or who saw the silver Nissan Navara utility travelling in the area prior to the crash to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au.

Dash-cam or mobile phone vision relating to this crash can be uploaded directly to investigators via this link: https://wapf.au.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/fataltrafficcrashclackline190424.

Road Trauma Support WA 1300 004 814