Police investigating serious crash along South Western Highway as tributes flow after death of two teens

Police are seeking information after another serious crash in the South West just days before a pair of teenagers were killed on the road in the region. A purple Holden Commodore was driving north along South Western Highway on Friday morning at 7.25am — between Manjimup and Yornup — when it veered off the road and struck a tree, leaving a 36-year-old man with serious injuries. The vehicle’s driver, a 31-year-old woman, received minor injuries and the male passenger was airlifted to Perth Royal Hospital for treatment. Police are investigating the crash and have appealed to the public for information. It comes as tributes continue to roll in for the 17-year-olds who died after a horror crash on the same highway in Wagerup, halfway between Harvey and Waroona. The tragedy unfolded just before 1.30pm on Sunday June 19 when Dale Martin’s Mitsubishi Triton Utility flipped near the Marriott Road intersection where — despite desperate efforts from police, paramedics and firefighters — both Dale and his passenger Ryleigh Land died at the scene. Tributes have since flown in for the teenagers who were both keen sportsman, with Ryleigh’s family erecting a memorial out of cricket stumps and a bat at the scene of the crash and Dale’s cricket and off-road riding clubmates sharing messages of grief. “We have been so fortunate to have Dale and the Martin family be a part of our club and will miss seeing Dale race and his smiling face on the podium,” the Offroad Riding club of WA wrote in an online tribute. Kardinya Lakes Cricket Club echoed the sombre sentiments, describing Dale as “a great kid” and “talented cricketer who had the world at his feet”. “I am thankful to have shared playing games with him ... It’s hard to believe this has happened,” KLCC’s online tribute read. “I know all at Kardy pass on their condolences to the family at this tragic time, we can’t forget the accident also affected another family and we offer them our condolences as well as the Kenwick Cricket Club,” KLCC online tribute read. Remembering his brother as “cricket mad”, Connor McDermott was among the grieving family members, along with Ryleigh’s mother Kelly Land, who visited the crash scene on Sunday afternoon. “He was so responsible ... he was such a hard-worker,” Ms Lane said. “For 17, he was way beyond his years ... such a strong, resilient kid.” Major crash investigators are conducting an examination of both scenes and are appealing for any witnesses to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online. Dash-cam or mobile phone vision relating to this crash can uploaded directly to investigators via here.