NSW Police officers who attended a horror crash that killed one girl and injured another on their way to Taylor Swift’s Melbourne show have laid flowers at the scene.
Mieka and Freya Pokarier, aged 16 and 10, and their mum were driving from the Gold Coast to make it to Swift’s first Australian show when their SUV collided head-on with a semi-trailer near Dubbo in NSW on Thursday night.
Mieka died at the scene while Freya was left fighting for her life in hospital.
The Dubbo police officers returned to the scene to lay flowers in memory of Mieka the following day.
“These flowers were laid on behalf of all attending emergency services as well as members of the public who valiantly assisted at a very confronting scene,” NSW Police said on Facebook.
Their godmother Karleigh Fox told 9News Mieka had created a playlist just for the trip and would have been listening to it in the moments before the crash.
“It was an 11-days road trip and seeing friends along the way and lots of Taylor,” she said.
“We have just had Taylor on repeat for the last 10 years. How her music changed these girls, like empowered them, gave them self-confidence, gave them hope, especially through COVID times.”
The girls were “super fans”, Fox said.
“It just kind of feels like Mieka must just be staying at someone’s house and I think it’s really going to hit us further when we get home, the reality of it, that she’s not coming back.
“When we opened the iPad, it was heartbreaking. Mieka’s cat’s name is Mr Perfectly Fine, which is a song of Taylor’s.”
Freya was flown to Westmead Hospital in Sydney in a critical condition, where she remains in an induced coma with serious brain injuries.
Their mother had minor injuries while the driver of the semi-trailer was in stable condition when they were both taken to Dubbo Hospital.
Fox said loved ones were by Freya’s side in hospital, hoping that she stabilises.
Police are investigating the crash and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Family and friends have set up an online fundraiser to help the Queensland family with costs, such as accommodation in Sydney.
It has so far gained more than $30,000. Fox said Swifties nationwide had been reaching out to the family with their support.
