Tragedy as twin girls, 7, are killed in horror crash between Perth and Kalgoorlie

Twin girls who died in a horror highway smash had been described as 'sunshine souls' by loved ones before their lives were tragically cut short. 

Sisters Macey and Riley, both seven, died when the Toyota Camry they were travelling in ploughed into a tree about halfway between Perth and Kalgoorlie. 

The girls' mother Rachel van Oyen, 31, had been at the wheel when the vehicle came off the Great Eastern Highway in Carrabin at about 11am on Sunday. 

The twins, who were both wearing seatbelts, were pronounced dead at the scene while their mother was rushed to Merredin Hospital. 

Merredin local Mark Beadle, whose daughter knew the twins, asked his community to pray for Ms van Oyen's recovery and for her little girls. 

'I don't know how to pray for them, obviously for Rachel to recover but beyond that I feel the need for prayer,' he told the West Australian. 

'It seems so enormous. It is helpful that people are praying with us.'

Twin sisters Macey and Riley, both seven, died when the Toyota Camry they were travelling in ploughed into a tree about halfway between Perth and Kalgoorlie

The girls' mother Rachel van Oyen, 31, had been at the wheel when the vehicle came off the Great Eastern Highway in Carrabin at about 11am on Sunday

It's understood the trio had been visiting family members in Kalgoorie and were on their way home to Perth when they crashed. 

The girls' grandmother described them as 'sunshine souls' in a 2020 Facebook post. 

She lovingly described her grand-daughters as 'gorgeous, funny, cheeky, magical little twins who 'bring so much joy to their entire family. 

Detective Senior Sergeant Adam Matson from the major crash squad told media on Monday investigations into the 'devastating' crash were ongoing.

He said detectives were yet to talk to Ms van Oyen, who was discharged from Merredin Hospital after only a few hours on Sunday. 

'The loss of any life on WA roads is an absolute tragedy but to lose the lives of two young seven-year-old girls in the one instance is extremely heartbreaking,' he said.

'This crash and the death of two young girls will have a long-lasting impact on the family, friends and the broader community.'

The girls' mother Rachel van Oyen, 31, had been at the wheel when the vehicle came off the Great Eastern Highway (pictured) in Carrabin at about 11am on Sunday

WA Premier Roger Cook spoke of the dangers of Western Australia's highway network while sending his support to the family. 

'Obviously, WA has a vast highway. And we as a state are more dependent upon vehicle transport than any other state, and vehicles travelling over many distances. So by its very nature, it's dangerous,' he said.

The accident shut down the Great Eastern Highway for hours on Sunday, blocking an important road through the Wheatbelt region.

Police earlier appealed for anyone with information or footage to come forward.

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