Boy, 5, killed in horror three-car crash caused by emu in Nangwarry

A five year old boy is dead and a teenager is fighting for her life after a multi-car crash caused by an emu in South Australia.

Police were called to the Riddoch Highway near the town of Nangwarry, close to the border with Victoria, about 2.40pm yesterday after a three-car collision.

A black Holden sedan had struck an EMU, causing a gray Toyota to suddenly brake and rear-end a white Nissan ute, police said.

The five-year-old boy, a passenger in the Toyota, died at the scene.

Another passenger, a 15-year-old girl, was taken to hospital in critical condition.

The driver of the Toyota, 42, and three other occupants of the car, aged 46, 13 and 6, were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The male driver of the Nissan, 22, from Worrolong, was uninjured.

The woman whose car crashed into the emu was also not injured.

Police from the Major Crash Unit are currently investigating the scene.

The young boy’s death marks the 71st life lost on South Australia’s roads this year.