Arabic version: العائلة تتذكر الأم وابنتها اللتين قُتلتا في تصادم على الطريق السريع

The Berguno family is in mourning following a tragic crash on the Kings Highway in southern New South Wales that claimed the lives of a mother and daughter. Nora Berguno, 38, and her daughter Lilli, 19, were traveling from Canberra to Batemans Bay when their vehicle was struck by another car. Lilli’s boyfriend, Jeremy, also died in the incident, leaving only 15-year-old Phoebe as the sole survivor, who is currently hospitalized with critical injuries. According to ABC News, Aniko Berguno, Nora’s sister, expressed the deep impact of their loss, stating it will leave “a hole in many hearts for the rest of our lives”.

The crash occurred when another vehicle crossed the center line and collided with the Berguno family’s car. Aniko recounted the moment she learned of the accident, revealing that she first heard about it online while waiting for a hospital appointment. The shock of realizing it involved her family was overwhelming. “My older sister, Nora, was honestly the best sister, friend, and mother you could ask for,” Aniko said, highlighting Nora’s selflessness and genuine nature.

Nora’s partner, Hope Wilkins, emphasized the family’s focus on Phoebe’s recovery, noting the long emotional and physical journey ahead for her. The family has expressed gratitude for the community’s support and the efforts of those who responded to the crash scene, acknowledging the difficult circumstances they faced.

In light of the tragedy, the family is calling on the New South Wales government to enhance road safety measures on the Kings Highway, particularly in areas known for accidents. Wilkins stated, “There have been too many deaths on that road,” advocating for improvements to prevent future incidents. The highway was closed for 12 hours following the crash as police launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.

The University of Canberra High School, where both Lilli and Phoebe were students, has also expressed its condolences. Principal Kate Woods reached out to the school community, noting the profound grief caused by the loss. The school pledged support for the affected families and students during this difficult time.