By Sam Ackerman
The parents of two young girls killed in the tanker crash on the south coast of New South Wales are still in a critical condition, as authorities praise the fellow travellers who helped save their lives as heroes.
The wreckage of the tragedy that has shattered two families has left police with little hope of ever working out what happened.
All witnesses know is that the fuel tanker swerved and wiped out three cars coming the other way.
“It was carnage,” says Wayne Starling of the Shoalhaven police.
“It was horrific for anyone to experience. Both the police and emergency service workers, and also for any member of the public that was there – it’s something that no one should have to witness.”
David and Debra Bridge, and their daughters Makeely, 11, and Jordan, 13, were just half an hour from their Ulladulla home after a holiday in Victoria.
Volunteer fireman Blair McDonald was among those in the cars behind the incident, and saw Debra staggering from the wreck.
“She was just walking, a bit lost, calling out for her daughters.”
Mr McDonald says he then tried to save the wrest of the family.
“[David] was halfway out of the car, getting out – we pulled him out while he was on fire,” Mr McDonald says. “We patted him down and put him on a fire blanket while they were still calling for their daughters – but we couldn’t get back in for them because the car was too involved in flames.”
Relatives of the Bridge’s also got involved – one burning his hand helping the father out in an incredible act of bravery.
“They’ve done exceptional things under extremely difficult circumstances,” says Mr Starling.
“They put their lives at risk to save another person’s life. Whether they were family or not, they still could have been killed.”
David and Debra Bridge are still in a critical condition in separate Sydney hospitals – with burns to 80 percent of their bodies.
Truck driver David Carolan, 36, was also killed in the incident, leaving behind three young children.
The Australian holiday road toll continues to climb, currently sitting at 43.
3 News