Girl, 11, who survived horrific drowning that killed her mother and siblings when their car careered into a river is praised as 'clever beyond her years' for escaping through the window and running for help
- A coroner said a surviving girl, 11, was ' brave and clever beyond her years'
- The girl was the only survivor after her family car crashed into the Tweet River
- An inquiry has said more effort should be made to warn people and close roads
A little girl who survived a horrific drowning that killed her mother and siblings has been praised as 'clever beyond her years' for escaping the tragedy with her life.
Chloe-May King, then nine, was riding with her siblings Jacob, seven, and Ella-Jane, 11, when her mother Stephanie lost control of their car and it careered into a raging river in Dulguigan, northern New South Wales in 2017.
Ms King managed to undo Chloe-May's seatbelt and the youngster escaped through a shattered window before the car sank along with her family.
Chloe-May ran more than a kilometre barefoot, screaming and covered in blood to find help from the nearest house.
Stephanie King, 43, died trying to save Chloe-May's (left) siblings Jacob (centre) and Ella-Jane (right) aged 7 and 11.
Several people apparently lost control of their vehicles along the road due to the mud and silt left by flooding from Cyclone Debbie
A coroner at an inquest into the deaths on Friday praised her heroic actions, reported The Daily Telegraph.
Acting State Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan said Chloe-May 'acted in a way that was brave and clever beyond her years.'
'What a survivor,' she said.
The coroner also said Mrs King was a 'wonderful mother' for undoing her child's seat belt before she drowned with her other two children.
Chloe-May was with her father Matt Kabealo during the inquiry who said he wanted to be known as a survivor rather than a victim of the horrific situation.
Ella-Jane Kabealo, 11, (left) Chloe-May Kabealo, now 11, (centre) and Jacob Kabealo,seven (right) who were in the car during the crash, a coroner praised Chloe-May for running to get help after she escaped
'And indeed he is [a survivor], along with his exceptional daughter,' Ms O'Sullivan said.
The inquiry found there were no warnings that Dulguigan road was dangerous following floods caused by Cyclone Debbie.
Photographic evidence was presented that showed the road covered in mud and silt along a significant portion of the road.
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Tweed Shire Council had a lack of resources that resulted in the road not being closed, the inquest heard.
Several people apparently lost control of their vehicles along the road.
Coroner Ms O'Sullivan recommended the council keep a closer eye on danger and inform the public of silt and mud caused by flooded roads.
'It was entirely reasonable [Ms King] thought a road now clear of water and open to the public would be safe to drive on,' Ms O'Sullivan said. 'It wasn't.'
Photographic evidence was presented that showed Tumbulgum road covered in mud and silt along a significant portion of the road
During the inquiry it was found that there had also been no warnings on nearby Dulguigan road following flooding resulting from Cyclone Debbie
