A young girl died in a car crash that occurred in Helensvale, Queensland, on the Gold Coast, on Sunday. The deceased was identified as Alyra Whalen, 15.
According to the police, her Toyota Corolla lost control and hit a street sign before coming to a stop in a swamp.
Whalen was rushed to a hospital with critical injuries, but she later died. Two of her passengers, a man and a boy, were injured in the crash.
The former reportedly suffered from chest pain, while the latter was treated for leg injuries.
On Monday, Whalen’s friends from the netball team, including Kayla Cawdron and Emily Tapper, placed flowers at the crash site at Helensvale Rd., remembering the vibrant and sweet young girl they had known.
Tapper said she was a talented and kind individual, while Cawdron added that she was always kind and had the best sense of humor.
Whalen was a kind and talented individual who made everyone around her smile, her friends said.
The school where she went to, Benowa State High, released a statement saying that its community was deeply saddened by her death.
It also noted that its guidance counselors would be available to help the students and staff members.
The school community is praying for the Whalen family during this difficult time. The police are now investigating the cause of the accident, as it occurred when Whalen was not old enough to legally drive.
In response to the incident, the chief superintendent of the Queensland Police said that the law enforcers must do everything in their power to prevent other young people from dying on the roads.