A local community in the Riverina region of NSW is rallying around three children whose parents were killed in a car crash just before Christmas.
John Stanton, 40, and Trish O’Brien, 38, were driving home from work about midday on December 16 when their ute left Keajura Rd and crashed into a tree in Ladysmith, near Wagga Wagga.
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The couple, who were farmers from Forest Hill, leave behind their three children: Teya, 17, Jack, 14, and Caleb, 9.
Close family friend Mel Cummins has set up a fundraiser for the children.
Cummins said, with work commitments and the busy harvest season, the couple had “planned to do their Christmas shopping over this week”.
The money raised “will go towards giving the kids a Christmas and giving them Christmas presents and also to support them with those funeral costs,” she said.
“They’ve lost mum and dad all in one go and we just need to rally together and support them.”
Cummins described the couple as “partners in crime”, telling 7NEWS the family were still trying to get their head around what had happened.
“Both sides of the family are just trying to process the situation and what’s happening and where we go from here,” she said.
Cummins said the couple were very community-minded, with Stanton involved in the local Rural Fire Service.
Many community members expressed their condolences via social media.
“Sending much love to Trish and John’s family and friends. Devastating to hear of this tragic news,” one person wrote.
“My heart is filled with grief and sadness knowing the children have lost a wonderful mother and a dedicated father,” another said.
“I’ve known Trish from when she was a little girl and that smile and happy-go-lucky lady she turned into will be severely missed.”
Police are investigating the crash.
