Three teenagers killed in horrific V8 car crash

MOURNERS have laid flowers at the scene of an horrific car crash that killed three teenagers and critically injured another on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

The driver of a V8 Holden Statesman Travis Guerin, 18, from Maroochydore, and passengers Joel Doyle, 19, from Maroochydore and Nakita Deacon, 15, from Chevallum, died when the vehicle ploughed into a tree on the median strip of Karawatha Drive at Mountain Creek.
Another 15-year-old girl, from Buderim, has been airlifted by helicopter to the Royal Brisbane Hospital.

Speed is believed to have been a factor in the crash which occurred about 1.40am (AEST) today and was heard from a kilometre away.
Inspector Annie MacDonald from Maroochydore police said the vehicle was demolished, with two tow-trucks needed to haul the wreck away.
"It's horrific, the car was basically cut in half, it was a tragic, tragic waste of life," said Insp MacDonald.

Karawatha Drive is a normal suburban street, she said.
The young driver was most likely on his provisional "P Plate" licence and was driving a powerful eight-cylinder vehicle, Insp MacDonald said.
Based on early investigations, police suspect speed caused the crash.

"This is a tragic, tragic accident that has seen three young people die," she said.

"I'm at a loss, I don't know what more the police, media, the RACQ, or any other agency can do to make people understand to slow down.

"Parents should sit their children down tonight and make them look at this car and realise the consequences of what will happen if they drive and speed and don't take care on the roads."

The accident occurred near the Mountain Creek High School, but the victims were not involved in schoolies celebrations, Insp MacDonald said.

The girls were both students, but it is not believed they went to the same school.
Insp MacDonald said that in her 26 years in the police force she had never seen an accident like this.
"It's just so senseless, it's imprinted on all of us forever."
She consoled two young girls at the scene this morning, while a large group gathered to mourn the victims.
The tragedy occurred just four weeks after a single vehicle crash killed four teenage boys from Lismore.
Aged between 16 and 17, they died near Byron Bay on October 22 when the vehicle went out of control.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,,20783908-5005941,00.html