Cops shocked by booze tribute to dead kids

Melbourne, Aug 6 : A tribute to two young victims of a high-speed car crash shocked police as much as the crash itself, after alcohol was left at the site of the accident.

At the site of the crash some flowers, a cross, two full cans of bourbon, cola and guarana and several empty bottles of beer had been placed under the Welcome to Redcliffe sign at Clontarf, Brisbane.

Ian Murphy, 20, and his 15-year-old cousin Garth Freeman had died on Aug 2 morning and police said the use of alcohol in the tribute was in poor taste and sent completely the wrong message. "Two young people have died here and we've got bottles of booze sitting on a cross. It's just tragic and senseless," News.com.au quoted Redcliffe Traffic Branch Snr Sergeant Garth Peake as saying.

As per the investigations, the victims' car was doing up to 140km/h - more than twice the speed limit - as it left the Houghton Highway Bridge and hit a traffic island.

Police believe the car then flipped at least once before hitting the signpost, killing both occupants instantly, and although toxicology tests are yet to be returned, police said there was a strong smell of alcohol in the vehicle.

Redcliffe District Inspector Mark Jones said there was little police could do to prevent such crashes other than show other motorists the consequences of driving at high speeds.

"You can't get more of a reminder than that to obey the speed limit," he said, indicating towards the signpost.

"We can do as much enforcement as we like, but it comes down to the individual's decisions," he added.

Since the start of the year, 196 people have lost their lives on Queensland roads compared with 220 at the same time last year.

ANI