Port Kennedy crash: Driver dies after car crashes into tree and bursts into flames on Warnbro Sound Avenue

Brave neighbours have recalled the moment they desperately tried to save an 18-year-old man after a deadly car crash in Port Kennedy on Tuesday night. The teenager had been driving a Holden Commodore on Warnbro Sound Avenue near Halliburton and Chelmsford avenues when his rear tyre is believed to have burst. It caused him to lose control of the car, which then smashed into a tree at about 7.40pm on Tuesday. Cars pulled over to help, with one man dragging the 18-year-old out before the car exploded. Daniel Rushby was the first person on the scene and on Wednesday he revealed horrific details about his attempt to save the teenager. “I could see the car fishtail from a distance, then I pulled up seconds later and the tree was already on fire,” Mr Rushby said. “I pulled his arm and shoulders and dragged him out. I thought he would be okay as he showed signs of life and I didn’t have to do CPR or check for a pulse. “His leg was on fire so I put that out in the wood chips and then I put him in the recovery position.“ Mr Rushby said a nearby resident ran out to help and ran over to the car to check that no one else was inside. “Seconds later the car exploded, sending shrapnel all over the road,” he said. “You could feel the heat on your face.” Before the crash, Mr Rushby claims he saw the car speed through a red light. “He must have done a double look before going through the lights, he was going at least eighty clicks and gaining speed,” he said. Mr Rushby also said that seconds after the crash, another car, which had waited at the red light, pulled up to where the 18-year-old crashed, before speeding off. The two men who had rushed to the teen’s aid stayed with the 18-year-old until two off-duty nurses pulled over and began treating the teenager. He received critical injuries and was taken to Rockingham General Hospital, where he later died. Family and friends were at the scene on Wednesday morning, where some sat crying and consoling each other. Several young men laid flowers at the base of the tree, too distraught to speak. Those in the area say they heard multiple loud bangs which rattled the windows of their homes, with some saying they even felt it hundreds of metres away. One said they heard what sounded like an explosion, as the car slammed into the tree. “I was making a cuppa and heard a loud bang from outside,” she told The West Australian. “I heard the sirens and went outside and didn’t see anything until I went for a walk to the corner and saw the lights and commotion.” Footage taken at the scene shows firefighters battling towering flames after the car exploded. Police Commissioner Col Blanch said speed appeared to have played a part in the tragic crash. “Speed looks like it may be a factor and it just speaks of the tragedy of road deaths in WA and across the nation,” he said. “Sadly, it is not a new message that youth and driving can cause death and harm on the roads. “What young people often forget is that families are impacted significantly. This is someone’s son, brother, friend and we see this tragedy on the road. “This is a real tragedy for so many people.” Caitlin Gillies and Krystal Herbert paid tribute to their friend on Wednesday morning, describing him as a “kind and caring person” who loved driving. “My heart broke, he was a beautiful boy, he didn’t deserve what happened to him,” Ms Gillies said. “He was very kind and caring and he would do anything for anyone.” “He was there for everyone,” Ms Herbert said. “He was a happy, kind-spirited person.” Major crash investigators urge anyone with information relating to this crash, or who saw the silver Holden Commodore sedan travelling in the area prior to the crash, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online here. Dash-cam or mobile phone vision relating to this crash can be uploaded directly to investigators via this link.