"Two boys gone": Father of boys killed in Wellington crash devastated
The father of two young boys killed in an alleged hit and run says he feels "gutted" and "empty" after the accident.
Shane and Sheldon Shorey, aged six and seven, were struck by a car near Dubbo in regional NSW with both boys dying at the scene.
Their mother, 34, and two other boys were also struck and injured by the unlicensed driver.
The group were walking along the grass by the side of the road after leaving a local swimming pool before being hit by the car.
"I have lost two beautiful boys who are just starting their lives," father Joseph Shorey said to 9News.
"It leaves my heart ripped out. I feel gutted, I feel empty.
"Two babies gone. I gotta bury two kids, I'd never wish that upon anyone."
Mr Shorey described his two sons as "the happiest kids in the world".
The heartbroken father lived in Queensland with his two sons but they had been in Wellington visiting their mother while on school holidays.
The boys' mother was airlifted to Westmead Hospital in Sydney after the crash, where she remains stable.
The alleged driver Jacob Donn has been charged with a range of counts, including dangerous driving occasioning death – driving in a dangerous manner; negligent driving occasioning death; negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm; dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – driving in a dangerous manner; two counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct in charge of motor vehicle; being a never licensed person driving a vehicle on a road; two counts of failing to stop and assist after impact causing injury; two counts of failing to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death; failing to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing grievous bodily harm; and possessing a prohibited drug.
The prohibited drug charge comes after police searched him and allegedly found he was carrying a prescription medicine.
Donn has undergone drug and alcohol testing but results are currently pending, and was refused bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court.
Acting Commander of the Orana Mid-Western Police District Natalie Antaw said the tragedy sent shockwaves through the community.
"Obviously, the incident is a complete tragedy – a tragedy for the families and the township of Wellington," she said.
"(It is) a tragic incident involving young children which always makes it that much more difficult."
She said the families of the children killed and injured were "obviously grief-stricken".
Photo credits: 9News