The family of a South Coast couple critically injured in a tanker explosion on the Princes Hwy has thanked the community for their support.
David and Debbie Bridge are fighting for their lives in two Sydney hospitals after suffering burns to 80 per cent of their bodies in the crash.
Their two daughters, 11-year-old Makeely and 13-year-old Jordon, were killed when the tanker slammed into their vehicle and burst into flames on Monday evening near Batemans Bay.
The truck driver, 36-year-old David Carolan, also died in the crash.
CLICK HERE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE BRIDGE FAMILY Photos from the crash scene Truck driver's fiance slams government roads funding
EDITORIAL: Highway from hell claims more victimsIn a statement released by the health service this afternoon, the Bridge family thanked the community "for their well wishes at this very difficult time".
The family was "fully focussed on supporting their loved ones in hospital", and requested privacy from the media.
One of the Bridge's relatives braved flames, searing temperatures and thick black smoke to pull the parents from the burning car, and was hailed a hero in the wake of the accident.
He suffered first- and second-degree burns to his hands as he and other relatives desperately tried to rescue the girls and their parents trapped inside their vehicle.
The man managed to drag the two adults from the car despite it being upturned.
"He burnt his hands trying to release the children from the car and get their parents out," said Shoalhaven district ambulance manager Wayne Dunlop.
But he was unable to get to the two girls in the back seat.
Shoalhaven police local area commander Superintendent Wayne Starling painted the terrifying scene that confronted the man as he tried to drag his relatives away from danger and death.
"It was an inferno," Mr Starling said.
"There was extreme heat, there was black smoke making it difficult to breathe ... the rig and the Subaru were engulfed in flames."
The two adults dragged from the car were conscious when emergency crews arrived at the scene.
They were airlifted to burns units in Concord and Royal North Shore hospitals, where they both remain in a critical condition.
The extended family had been returning home from holidaying in Victoria; the relatives were following the Bridges' vehicle.
Mr Starling paid tribute to the man and his actions.
"Under very tragic circumstances heroes do come out," he said. "But it's just horrific for all involved."
Mr Dunlop said the Bridges faced a difficult time ahead.
He said the couple were both in critical condition and had sustained burns to 80 per cent of their bodies.
"It's very critical for the next few weeks. If they survive they're facing repeated surgeries and ongoing skin grafts," Mr Dunlop said.
Mr Starling said that what caused the truck driver to cross to the wrong side of the road remained "the million-dollar question".
He said police could not confirm the family's names as formally identifying the two children and the tanker driver could take several days.
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