Eighteen-year-old former St Paul’s student Joshua Galbraith and 56-year-old David Dawson, whose daughter Jennifer is in Year 12 at St Paul’s, were both killed when their cars collided head-on on Bells Line of Road, 100 metres east of Baileys Lane, at about 1.20pm.

Mr Dawson’s wife and 17-year-old daughter escaped the wreckage of their Hilux ute but Mr Dawson was trapped in the vehicle.

Police said a small fire began in the ute’s engine bay as a result of the crash, but despite gallant efforts from a number of passersby, the cabin became engulfed in flames, killing Mr Dawson. The fire was extinguished a short time later by Rural Fire Service volunteers.

Mrs Dawson and her daughter were taken to Nepean Hospital, both in a serious condition.

Police believe Mr Galbraith, a Bilpin resident, was travelling east along Bells Line of Road when his Daewoo station wagon coll-ided with the oncoming ute carrying Mr Dawson, his wife and one of his daughters.

A passing nurse stopped to render first aid to Mr Galbraith, but was unable to save his life.

The accident created havoc for motorists travelling home on Bells Line of Road, with traffic diverted through Kurrajong Village and along Hermitage and Mill roads.

Bells Line of Road was closed for more than five hours while officers from the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit and Hawkesbury area command conducted investigations and cleaned up the scene.

The mother of a Kurrajong Public School student told The Gazette her son saw huge billows of smoke coming from the direction of the crash site, as well as two helicopters flying quickly towards the scene. Residents from Kurrajong Village also reported hearing a loud explosion.

St Paul’s Grammar principal John Collier told The Gazette of the deep sadness and grief felt throughout the school on Friday.