A grieving mother will spend months recovering in hospital after losing her unborn child in a devastating three car crash that also killed a young girl.
Elodie Aldridge, who was 34-weeks-pregnant, was involved in the crash at the intersection of Old Dookie and Boundary roads in Shepparton, Victoria, last Friday.
A silver Toyota LandCruiser crashed into a black Ford Territory and a white Toyota LandCruiser killing five-year-old Savannah Kemp.
Ms Aldridge, 32, was airlifted from the wreck of her black Ford Territory to Royal Melbourne Hospital where she was told she’d lost her child.
Ms Aldridge was on her way back from an appointment with her midwife and was delivering lunch to her husband when she was involved in the accident.
Elodie Alridge (pictured right) lost her unborn son at 34 weeks after a car accident at Shepperton. She has undergone extensive surgery and remains in hospital. Pictured: Dad Andrew Aldridge with Elodie and their son Zac before the accident.
Savannah (pictured), who died in the accident, was so excited to go to school that she didn’t take her uniform off for weeks
The horror crash involved two Toyota Landcruisers and a Ford territory and happened at the intersection of Old Dookie Road and Boundary Road in Shepparton last Friday.
Ms Aldridge’s friend Amanda Parker has set up a GoFundMe revealing the mother has undergone extensive surgery and will remain in hospital for months to come.
Ms Aldridge and her partner Andrew were expecting a second child on December 2.
‘Unfortunately, upon arrival via air ambulance to the hospital, the unimaginable and devastating news that no parent or family member should ever need to hear was advised – Elodie and Andrew’s little baby has grown his wings and was in the hands of heaven above,’ Ms Parker said.
The tragedy left behind ‘a caring and loving mum, hard-working and dedicated father, and joyous and excited brother to be’.
‘Elodie has undergone extensive surgery and remains in hospital with Andrew by her side,’ Ms Parker said.
‘Elodie will be required to stay in hospital for weeks if not months before her ability to be discharged home, Elodie will have a long road to recovery ahead.’
Ms Aldrige and her partner Andrew, who were married just six weeks ago, have a seven-year-old son Zac.
‘Let this be a reminder to hold your loved ones close and cherish them dearly,’ Ms Parker said.
The fundraiser was set up to reduce financial pressures on the family.
Ms Parker pledged any unused funds would be ‘re-donated back to those in need, the hospitals, red nose , others going through what we are going through right now’.
Mr Aldridge told 7News their son Zac had been excited to meet his new brother.
‘His brother and him had a strong bond,’ he said.
Ms Aldridge thanked her community for their ongoing support through the difficult time.
‘We don’t know a lot of people (but) they’ve been fantastic,’ she said.
Savannah Kemp is pictured with her mother, Bryana Kemp. The five-year-old died on Friday October 20
Last Sunday, Savannah’s mother Bryana Kemp told her only daughter, who died beside a silver Toyota LandCruiser, ‘was the most precious, sassy little girl’.
‘She had the biggest heart which was always full of laughter. She never walked anywhere, she danced or skipped. She was so brave and fearless, learnt it from her brothers.
‘Nothing bothered her.’
Savannah was due to start kindergarten at Guthrie Street Primary School with her three older brothers in 2024.
Her mother said, ‘she has been wearing her school uniform around the house for weeks because she was so excited to go to school.
‘She went to her first orientation a week or so back and even had to wear it.’
The youngster wanted to be a ‘fearless ballerina, soccer player’ and had been ‘training’ in the yard with her brothers for weeks before the crash claimed her life.
‘My sweet little baby, if had the chance would have ruled this world,’ Ms Kemp wrote.
‘She was destined for great things.’
A GoFundMe page was also created for Ms Kemp after her heartbreaking loss.