From donations to condolences and one-minute silences the Orange community has rallied to support the family of schoolboy John Keegan killed in a truck and car crash on Friday night.
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John, 15, a Year 10 student at James Sheahan Catholic High School, was trying to help a couple injured in a two-car crash when a truck prime mover struck both cars at 8.15pm on Molong Road.
A GoFundMe campaign doubled its goal of $20,000 within the first 16 hours of it being online as donations flooded in.
Jase and I are so humbled by the huge support we are receiving
- Penny Keegan, John's mother
Tragically, the GoFundMe page also revealed John's mum Penny also lost her mother about an hour after the accident.
Mrs Keegan said she, her husband Jason and the family were appreciative of the community support.
"Jase and I are so humbled by the huge support we are receiving from our friends, family and community and so, so proud of our John and the love people have for him and that is a result of the love he had for people," she said.
Orange City Rugby Club, which John played for in the 16s, held a minute's silence on Saturday. He also played for CYMS in rugby league and another minute's silence was held on Sunday.
Police said John was a passenger in a Toyota utility which collided with a BMW at the corner of the Mitchell Highway and Thompson Road near Orange.
"While a 15-year-old boy rendered assistance to the occupants of the BMW, a prime mover truck struck both vehicles," police said.
"The 15-year-old died at the scene. The 17-year-old male driver of the Toyota, plus the occupants of the BMW, a 72-year-old man and a 71-year-old woman, were taken to Orange Hospital in a stable condition.
"Their injuries are not considered life-threatening.
"The truck driver, a man aged 48, was taken to Orange Hospital for mandatory testing." Police investigations are continuing.
A statement on the GoFundMe page said it was set up after many people had offered assistance to the Keegan family.
"John has contributed to our community throughout his journey in many different ways including local sporting clubs and attending James Sheahan Catholic High School," it said.
"John was a respected young man with an infectious personality and love for family, friends and life," it said.
"The Keegans are a loving and respected family, well known for their contributions to our sporting and school communities.
"In response to the many messages and phone calls we have received requesting donations to the family, we thought we would take it upon ourselves to set up this GoFundMe to ease the family's financial and emotional burden with the affordability of two funerals."
James Sheahan CHS offered support to students and parents and opened the school hall to create a space for prayer and support.
Michael Tilston, the assistant principal teaching and learning, sent a note to the school community on Saturday. "It is with great sadness that we inform you of some tragic news. Our Year 10 student John Keegan was killed in a car accident last night out on Molong Road," it said.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Keegan family at this time, and we know this news will be difficult to bear for John's friends and peers."
Orange City's Facebook page said the Keegan family had a long association with the club.
"Yesterday we all woke to some very sad news, with the sudden and tragic passing of one of our own who played in the 16s, John Keegan," it said.
"His family have been a part of our club since his father Jason strapped on the boots for us in the late 80s, 90s."
By 5pm on Sunday night the GoFundMe campaign had raised $46,768 after 20 hours online.
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