HOFFMAN, WA — A weekend camping trip turned into a heartbreaking tragedy when 15-year-old Caitlyn Bragger lost her life in a devastating crash involving a four-wheel drive vehicle in Western Australia’s South West region. The fatal incident occurred Saturday evening, June 7, near Logue Brook Dam, north of Harvey.
According to authorities, a Toyota LandCruiser carrying six teenagers overturned on Scarp Road in Hoffman around 8 p.m. The vehicle was being driven by a 16-year-old boy — below the legal driving age — when it rolled off the road and crashed into nearby trees. Caitlyn died at the scene, and another teen remains in serious condition.
The group had reportedly been camping near Lake Brockman. Witnesses at the site said they heard a loud crash followed by screams for help. Several bystanders, including teens named Jett, Rocquo, Macy, and Kane, rushed to assist the victims trapped inside the wreckage.
Jett described the vehicle as being “crushed like a tin can,” while Rocquo shared how they removed a door to rescue one of the passengers. “We tried lifting the roof and helping everyone out, but there was very little we could do,” he said, visibly shaken. Their efforts, though heroic, could not save Caitlyn, whose loss has deeply affected the close-knit community.
Emergency services, including volunteer firefighters, worked into the night to free one person trapped inside. Tree limbs and shattered glass were scattered across the crash site, showing the sheer force of the rollover. Police confirmed that the 16-year-old driver, a 17-year-old male, two 16-year-old girls, and an 18-year-old male were taken to hospitals in Bunbury and Harvey. One teen remains in critical condition.
Under Western Australian law, 16-year-olds are not permitted to drive unless holding a learner’s permit and under adult supervision. Authorities have confirmed the teen driver was not licensed, and the crash raises further concerns about youth road safety.
Police are continuing to investigate and are appealing for any dash cam footage from the Hoffman area. The state’s road toll now stands at 85 — the highest figure recorded at this point in the year for over a decade.
