Featured Image Credit: 9News/Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV
Topics: Taylor Swift, Australia, Music, News
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: Taylor Swift, Australia, Music, News
A 16-year-old girl sadly died after being involved in a car crash en route to a Taylor Swift concert.
Mieka Pokarier was travelling to the songstress' Melbourne concert with her sister and mom.
Swift has so far done three nights in Australia as part of her Eras tour, following a brief stint in Tokyo, Japan, earlier this month.
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But tragedy struck for Mieka and her family's SUV collided with a semi-trailer en route to Melbourne on Thursday (February 15).
They were travelling all the way from the Gold Coast - over 1,700 miles - to see the star. Mieka died at the scene, while her 10-year-old sister Freya was airlifted to hospital.
It's believed that Freya remains in an induced coma.
Meanwhile, their mother was treated for minor injuries at Dubbo Hospital.
The driver of the semi-trailer was said to be in a 'stable condition' when he received medical attention, 9News reports.
According to Daily Mail Australia, Swift has since learned of the tragic ordeal, though she is yet to speak out publically.
Meika was said to be die-hard Swifite, and even named her cat after a Swift song.
Meika's godmother, Karleigh Fox, told 9News: "She's been a Taylor Swift Fan for over 10 years, and she loved maths, she loved pottery, she was always making people things with pottery and going to classes.
"She was very talented, she's always been into creating loom bands and friendship bracelets."
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money to support Meika and Freya's family. At the time of writing, $69,000 AUD has been donated.
Karleigh wrote for the fundraiser's bio: "Last night one of my dearest friends was driving from the Gold Coast to Melbourne with two of her children (my god children) when they were involved in a front on collision with a semi trailer.
"We are heartbroken to have lost one of her children (aged 16) whilst the 10 year old has been lifted to Westmead Hospital in critical condition, fighting for her life with brain injuries, a damaged pelvis and broken leg."
It continues: "The family have all had to cease work to fly down and I’m trying to get a flight to support the Mum as she’s alone in Dubbo until we can get her to Sydney. Funds will be used to function in this challenging time.
"We are also seeking accommodation which is hard to find in Sydney at the moment due to the Swifty influx of anyone knows anything."
UNILAD has contacted Swift's reps for comment.
Tragically, this isn't the first time a Swift fan has lost their life ahead of seeing the star perform.
Back in November 2023, Gabriel Milhomem Santos, 25, had travelled to see Swift perform at the Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, but the concert was postponed.
Gabriel was resting on Copacabana Beach in the early hours of the next day where he was fatally stabbed.