South West police have said an off-duty officer was one of the first to rush to help in a horrific three-car crash which killed a 57-year-old woman and a two-year-old boy, and left five others injured.
Police confirmed South West local Denise Pelusey and Zeak Pelusey-Boxall died in the collision on South Western Highway, near Boyanup, on Sunday afternoon.
A 39-year-old woman was flown to Royal Perth Hospital with critical injuries, while four children aged between three and 12 years, were taken to Bunbury hospital.
First responders praised
South West Traffic Police officer-in-charge Craig Clarke said an off-duty police officer came across the confronting scene on his way home from work and, with members of the public, rushed to help.
"He'd finished his duties, was on his way home to spend some time with his family and came across this horrific scene," Sgt Clarke said.
"My understanding is he's assisted with CPR on some of the injured parties as well."
Sgt Clarke said the crash was among the most difficult that experienced local traffic officers had faced
"[They] have said it's the most confronting scene that they've had to deal with, in terms of its entirety and its complexity … particularly when you have young children involved," he said.
"One officer attending actually has a two-year-old son … and as much as [police] try to hide it, when I spoke to them it was clear it had taken its toll on them."
Sgt Clarke said members of the public and other emergency volunteers had all worked to help at the scene and urged people to look after themselves.
"The efforts of everyone there that came across that were phenomenal and everyone deserves a big thank you for that," he said.
Investigations are continuing into the crash, which was the second double fatality road crash in the region in as many weeks, after young couple James Mather and Sabine Mather were killed on Bussell Highway on November 1.
Support offered to Department of Justice colleagues
Denise Pelusey worked for the Department of Justice as a community corrections officer in Bunbury.
A department spokeswoman said senior staff had offered sincere condolences to Ms Pelusey's family.
"Support is being offered to her colleagues at this difficult time," she said.
Deadliest month on WA roads
So far this year, 133 people have died on West Australian roads — 82 of those in regional WA.
Recent statistics from the Road Safety Commission showed 17 people had died last month, making it the deadliest month of the year.
The figure was 70 per cent higher than October last year.
