The WA woman who tragically died in a horrific car accident in South Australia that also left an eight-year-old boy in a coma, was a “bright and bubbly” mining personnel manager.
Guildford wife Clare Merriam and her partner Michael Place had recently traveled to Victoria to see his three children and the tragedy unfolded during a trip to Mount Gambia, near the Victorian border, on Friday afternoon.
It’s not yet clear what caused the crash, but it appeared that a large logging truck collided with their car as they drove along Donovans Rd in Wye.
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Ms Merriam, the driver, died at the scene while her partner’s eight-year-old son, who was in the back seat, suffered serious injuries.
Mr Place, who was in the passenger seat, and his six-year-old son and four-year-old daughter were also seriously injured.
Ms. Merriam, a 38-year-old people and engagement manager at Gold Fields mining company, was described as a “kind, friendly and energetic woman”.
“She was just full of life,” Andy Aple, the couple’s neighbor, told The West Australian.
“We would see her walk her dog. She was very smart and cheerful, always up for a chat.”
Mr Aple said the news that their beloved neighbors were involved in the horrific accident had shocked many residents on the street who knew Mrs Merriam.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Ms. Merriam had nearly 15 years of mining experience — working for other major companies such as BHP and Fortescue Metal Group — as well as doing a brief stint at St John of God Health Care.
Ms Merriam and her 36-year-old partner, a FIFO employee who is originally from Victoria, are known to have lived in Guilford for a few years.