Miss World Australia finalist Elyse Miller-Kennedy dies in hospital after horror crash

THE 17-year-old Miss World Australia finalist has died in hospital after a horror crash in Far North Queensland.

Elyse Miller-Kennedy spent the past week in the Townsville Hospital intensive care unit after suffering extensive injuries in a head-on collision last Wednesday night.

She was trapped in the car for two hours and flown to Cairns hospital in a critical condition before being flown to a specialist unit in Townsville.

Family friend Katrina Porter delivered the news on behalf on the family on the fundraising campaign page she has set up to help support the family.

“We are absolutely devastated to announce Elyse Miller-Kennedy passed away yesterday afternoon at Townsville Hospital Intensive Care Unit, surrounded by beloved family and friends after losing her week long battle to live after a tragic head on collision on Wednesday 3rd August 2016.”

Friends, community leaders and Miss World Australia organisers paid tribute to the 17-year-old St Stephen’s Catholic College student, reported The Cairns Post.

“Elyse will always be a shining light in the hearts of Far North Queensland, known for her caring nature, love of her family and incredible natural inner and outer beauty,” read a post by the Prayers for Elyse Facebook page, which has so far $50,000 for Elyse’s family.

‘Devastating — Earth Angel Elyse Miller-Kennedy has passed away.’ Picture: FacebookSource:Facebook

‘Elyse will always be remembered for her beautiful soul.’ Picture: Instagram @elyse1millerSource:Instagram

Elyse gained her driver’s licence just five weeks before the crash.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash to come forward. They are investigating whether the second vehicle may have been on the wrong side of the road at the time of the collision.

Police say they are yet to formally interview the female driver of the Ford Falcon that smashed into Elyse, as she is still recovering in hospital with a serious leg injury, The Herald Sun reports.

A vehicle inspection unit from Brisbane will next week fly to Cairns to inspect the two vehicles to ensure that no defects to the vehicles caused the fatal crash.

“Elyse was driving back from the Mareeba direction and was on the correct side of the road,” Senior Constable Lee Chamberlain said.

“Our inquiries show that the two vehicles came together on the Dimbulah-bound lane, so she was where she should have been at the time.”

The scene of the crash that will be investigated by the Cairns Forensic Crash Unit.Source:Supplied

The possibility of charges resulting from the crash will rest with evidence that the Cairns Forensic Crash Unit is able to gather.

Elyse was representing Queensland in the finals of Miss World Australia just last month.

Pageant organisers and her modelling agency, BLAK Model Management, yesterday offered their condolences.

“Devastating — Earth Angel Elyse Miller-Kennedy has passed away,” read a post on BLAK’s Facebook page.

“Elyse will always be remembered for her beautiful soul, charismatic charm and kind heart,” wrote Miss World Australia organisers.

“Elyse’s inner beauty truly exemplified her outer. Elyse’s potential was limitless; we had faith Elyse would take the title of Miss World in future years.”

The news spread to her hometown on the Tablelands.

Mareeba Shire Councillor and Dimbulah resident Nipper Brown said Elyse was a great advocate for her town.

“It’s a tragedy for the family and it’s a tragedy for the small town of Dimbulah,” he said.