By MATT NICHOLLS
TRAGEDY struck a young Armidale family last week when two-month-old baby Sophie Hayes was killed in a car crash on Uralla Road.
Her parents Finlay Doyle and Simon Hayes were also seriously injured in the crash on Wednesday morning.
Ms Doyle, 20, was flown to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle in a critical condition with a fracutred pelvis and head injuries and was placed in an induced coma.
Mr Hayes, 22, sustained a fractured skull as well as shoulder fractures and was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney in a critical condition.
The other two occupants of the car, believed to be Mr Hayes’ mother Jeannette and brother Micheal, sustained minor injuries and were taken to Armidale Hospital.
Police were called to the accident scene near the intersection of Moore Park Road at 8.30am Wednesday following reports of a collision.
Officers were told a Holden Commodore sedan travelling south on Uralla Road and a Ford Laser sedan, travelling in the opposite direction, had collided.
The woman driving the Ford was taken to Armidale Hospital for assessment and mandatory blood and urine testing while her son, who was travelling with her at the time, was uninjured.
A crime scene was established at the location, which was examined by specialist officers attached to the Crash Investigation Unit. Police inquiries into the matter are continuing.
* An account has been set up to help the families of Sophie Hayes. To donate, go to youcaring.com and search “Helping Hand For Hayes”.
