Vision of a car crash that claimed the lives of two boys in Sydney’s southwest has shown the moment of impact that was so severe it flung victims from the crash and tore the car in two.
The crash happened in the suburb of Ashcroft about 10.50am on Monday, when police said a grey 2003 Ford Falcon sedan was “travelling at a speed well above the 50km/h speed limit” on Maxwells Ave.
CCTV footage of the crash shows the Ford leaving the road, before it smashes through a small tree out the front of a home, ploughs into a power pole and the vehicle is torn into two pieces, one ending up at the top of the home’s driveway.
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The boys, who were rear-seat passengers, were thrown about 5m from the crash and pronounced dead at the scene.
The pair, understood to be aged between 10 and 15, are yet to be formally identified.
Providing an update on Monday afternoon, NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol commander Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden said police were now hunting two males seen running from the Ford.
“A male driver and a male front seat passenger have fled the scene on foot, and there’s now a concerted effort … supported by our aviation branch and dog squad, to identify and locate the driver and front-seat passenger,” Mr McFadden said.
“There’s no indication that the vehicle is reported stolen. We believe … the vehicle has some connection with the people from inside the vehicle.
“Two families are now going to be experiencing the absolute heartache that is to have some lives taken from them, which are clearly avoidable.”
Mr McFadden said police were investigating a dirt bike that was seen travelling near the Ford at the time of the crash.
The rider can be seen in CCTV vision crossing the lawn to inspect the carnage, pausing a moment, before moving out of frame.
“We are looking for that driver to present themself so we can speak to him. We do not know what role, if any, he has played in the crash, but it is certainly an active line of investigation,” Mr McFadden said.
He added the Ford’s registration details weren’t current, as the car had recently been sold.
“Just seeing the scene from the side of the road, just the absolute destruction of that vehicle, anyone that would have witnessed that crash would have no doubt been traumatised by it,” he said.
Manila Cheonan and Vongkeo Chan, who live near the crash, were traumatised after seeing the dead boys at the scene.
“It was horrible. We saw the dead body … first time for us to see that, we’re very shocked,” Ms Chan said.
“By the time we got there the car was already cut in half, and I see the dead body dead on the driveway and the other one in front of the stairs … it’s still in my mind.”
Ms Cheonan said she saw the dirt bike before it sped away from the scene.
“One man stopped on a motorcycle, he stopped and had a look, but then drive off so fast I didn't see where he went,” she said.
“Two schoolkids, two girls, they saw everything. They tried to tell me ‘don’t look, don’t look, it’s too scary’, but they saw everything.”
The crash happened just metres from the front door of a suburban home, although there are no further reports of other people hurt or vehicles or property damaged in the crash.
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Maxwells Ave has been closed either side of the scene.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anonymous reports can also be made to Crime Stoppers online.
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