Tributes have come pouring in for a mother who reportedly died while trying to save her two young children, after their car crashed into a river in New South Wales.
Stephanie King, 43, was driving through her native Tumbulgum with her three children – 11-year-old Ella-Jane, eight-year-old Chloe, and seven-year-old Jacob – when their car careered off the road and into the River Tweed.
The area has recently been struck by floods described as the worst to hit New South Wales in 40 years. As a result, the River Tweed’s banks were swollen at the time of the accident.
While authorities are still investigating how the accident occurred, Stephanie’s car hit the water on Monday, submerging the family of four.
Daughter Chloe managed to escape from the car - thanks to the help of her mother, it is believed – and she made her way to a nearby house, to raise the alarm.
Tragically, by the time emergency services arrived on the scene, they were unable to save Stephanie, Ella-Jane and Jacob.
Local authorities have since hailed devoted mum Stephanie as a ‘hero’, explaining how she was found ‘holding’ one of her children. Investigators at the scene believe she lost consciousness while trying to save her son and daughter.
As her car ploughed into the swollen Tweed River, Stephanie King gave her life trying to save her three children. @Gabrielle_Boyle #9News pic.twitter.com/M1j1E9xfTw
— Nine News Gold Coast (@9NewsGoldCoast) April 4, 2017
LAC Superintendent Wayne Starling told local media: “That woman is a hero. She died trying to save her children…I have no doubt she would still be alive if she wasn’t trying to save her children.”
Meanwhile, Chloe’s escape from the tragic accident has been described as nothing short of ‘miraculous’. She is now recovering with her father, Matt, in the wake of their most devastating loss.
In the wake of the tragedy, which has made headlines around the world, a Go Fund Me page (link here) has been set up – and the community has really rallied around Matt and Chloe.
“The funds raised through your kind donations will help Matt cope financially and emotionally with this devastating event in the short-term, and help him and his surviving daughter rebuild their lives,” writes page admin Chris Keeble.
He adds that all funds raised will go towards helping to pay for the funerals of Stephanie and the children, and will go towards the family’s mortgage bills.
So far, members of the community – and, indeed, sympathisers from all over the world – have been incredibly generous, donating over $86,000 and counting.
