> At a Glance
> – Adasyn Wood Savin, 16, and a 38-year-old man died when their Honda ATV collided with a Mitsubishi Triton on Tasmania’s west-coast Murchison Highway on Jan. 3.
> – Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene despite tourists’ first-aid efforts; the 40-year-old pickup driver was uninjured.
> – The tragedy comes after Adasyn’s brother Cooper previously died, according to a family friend.
> – Why it matters: Two families now face simultaneous grief and mounting funeral costs, prompting a community fundraiser that has already topped $17,000.
A weekend joyride on Tasmania’s rugged west coast turned fatal when an ATV carrying a Newcastle teenager and a local man was struck by a pickup, leaving relatives to mourn two siblings lost to tragedy.
Crash Details
Emergency crews were called to the Murchison Highway between Rosebery and Zeehan around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Early findings show the Honda ATV and Mitsubishi Triton collided under clear daylight conditions.
- Victim ages: 16-year-old girl, 38-year-old man
- Driver tested: 40-year-old truck driver underwent mandatory drug/alcohol screening
- Investigation status: Ongoing; coroner’s report pending
Community Response
Family friend Ella Mackrell launched a GoFundMe to return Adasyn’s body to Newcastle and cover travel, lodging and funeral expenses.
Mackrell wrote:
> “She was having fun, spending time with friends… Adasyn and one of our beloved friends, Whitt, were hit by a car and both passed away at the scene.”
The page notes Adasyn is survived by parents Amber and Adam, brothers James Savin and Hayden Wood, and that she is now “together again” with her late brother Cooper.
| Fundraiser Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Target | Undisclosed |
| Raised as of Jan. 7 | $17,000+ |
Key Takeaways
- A single highway crash claimed two lives and reopened wounds for a family that had already lost a child.
- Police stress the pickup driver’s sobriety testing is routine; no charges have been announced.
- Public donations are easing the financial strain of cross-state repatriation and services.
As investigators piece together the final moments before impact, Tasmania Police reiterated: “Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of both the deceased.”
