Don't Press Your Luck...

THE headlines should have, at the very least, piqued an interest.
Most Australian news websites lead with the story of how five teenagers had been killed and at least seven injured in a car accident in Victoria.
That's sad. Who won the footy?
It wasn't until later on when my Mum called, almost in tears, and asked if my cousins had been among those affected in the accident that it dawned on me: the accident was near Mildura, a place with some significance for my family as it's kind of where Dad's family lives (to explain fully would take too long).
Thankfully none of my relatives were there when the accident occurred, but that doesn't mean they didn't know those killed.
Bit close for comfort.
In the aftermath of the accident - in which Shane Hirst (16), Abby Hirst (17), Stevie-Lee Weight (15), Cassandra Manner (16) and Cory Dowling (16) died instantly and Josephine Calvi (16) in Royal Adelaide Hospital the next day - many in Mildura and the surrounding towns are trying to come to terms with losing so many young people that, in normal circumstances, would be enjoying their youth.
From the reports that have come out, it seems as though the accident happened when a car lost control, crashing into the group walking along the side of the road. A man has been charged and is in custody.
What the whole thing does rather painfully show is that a vehicle can be a lethal weapon. Most will have stories about a how a driver thought he'd (and it is generally a he) test his limits on a corner and "came that close to losing it man".
Occasionally the person will push their luck a little bit too far. Sometimes they can walk away; sometimes their families are left wondering why.
But what happens when someone pushes their luck near a group of people?
Have a look at the photo published on The Age website in one of their stories about the accident and the aftermath. It shows Stevie-Lee, Cassandra and Josephine smiling for the camera, just hours before someone pushed their luck a little bit too far.
Bad move.