‘Trying not to cry’: Tribute to five-year-old boy killed in SA emu crash

A five-year-old boy has died and a teenage girl is fighting for her life after a multi-car crash caused by an emu in South Australia.

The heartbroken parents were tonight split between two hospitals five hours apart, watching over three of their children still in the hands of doctors.

Police were called to Riddoch Highway near the town of Nangwarry, close to the Victoria border, following a three-car pile-up about 2.40pm yesterday.

A black Holden sedan hit an emu, causing the Eykelenburg family's grey Toyota sedan to brake suddenly and a white Nissan ute to crash into its rear, police said.

Chris and Paula's five-year-old son died and his 15-year-old sister was left in a critical condition.

"He was very adventurous, always on the go, always playful, happy, always wanting just to talk and have fun," said family friend Tara Button, who's known the family for years.

Chris, who suffered minor injuries in the crash, spoke today from Mount Gambier Hospital.

"I can't thank the emergency services enough. They've done a fantastic job," he told 9News, in a statement.

"My nurses have gone above and beyond."

Two more of the siblings, aged six and 13, are also in hospital for minor injuries.

"I'm trying not to cry at the moment," Button said.

"I'm trying to keep it all together but I know it'll hit me at one stage."

The children's mother flew from Mount Gambier to Adelaide this morning and was maintaining a vigil at her daughter's bedside.

Button set up an online fundraiser to help her friends, who had already been going through a tough time after Chris was made redundant just two weeks ago.

"When I heard the news I thought we need everybody in the community to just get behind them and support," she said.

No one from the other two cars was injured.

Police from the major crash unit are investigating.

The boy's death marks the 71st life lost on roads in South Australia this year.