Epping, Melbourne: Woman's plea after car stolen by six teens before crash
A woman whose car was allegedly stolen by six teens who were seriously hurt in a crash in Melbourne's north has issued a devastating plea.
Six teenage boys, aged between 16 and 19, allegedly stole a blue Haval from a home in Doreen on early Tuesday morning and were speeding through the vicinity of Church St in Whittlesea about 1am on Wednesday.
A woman's Haval was allegedly stolen by a group of teens on Tuesday morning. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling
Officers lost sight of the vehicle, but it was spotted again about 1.20am on Plenty Rd in South Morang with the assistance of the air wing.
Stop sticks were deployed to top the teens in their tracks, while the air wing continued to monitor the teens as they sped through Epping.
Emergency services were called to O'Herns Rd at the entrance of the Hume Freeway after the blue car rolled into an embankment and crashed.
Police said they were not pursuing the vehicle when it crashed.
Ronnie Michell (right) said she felt 'numb' when she saw her car on the news. Picture: 9News
Hours later, the owner of the allegedly stolen vehicle, Ronnie Michell, saw the remains of her mangled car appear on the news.
She said the sight of her crumpled vehicle made her heart drop.
'When I got shown the photo of the car, I just felt numb and sick,' she told 9News.
The six teenagers, including three 17-year-old Whittlesea boys, two 16-year-old Hume boys and a 19-year-old Seymour woman, were seriously injured in the crash.
Two of the occupants were ejected from the vehicle as it rolled into the embankment.
They were all transported to hospital for treatment, where they remain under police guard.
'Six kids in hospital, six families worried about their children,' Ms Michell said.
The family have urged the teens to think of others before going on joy rides. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling
Her daughter Courtney Lister was also horrified by the teens' joy ride.
'I couldn't believe it, that it had gone that far, so to speak, that their so-called 'bit of fun', I assume is what it was, had to end so badly,' she said.
Ms Lister issued a desperate plea to other teenagers looking for a thrill as it 'could have ended someone's life'.
'Hopefully, it is a wake-up call,' she said.
'But it's as though they don't care about any sort of consequence that could come from it.'
Police are continuing to investigate the incident.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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