A grieving mother has shared the haunting moment she received a chilling automated message from her dead son's phone.
Marc Rowan, 37, was killed when his car rolled on Fallon Street in North Albury on May 3.
Moments after the crash, his phone sent a distress alert to his mother, Jacquelyne Rowan, using an emergency feature.
“Crash detected SOS,” the message read, News.com.au reported. “I called emergency services from this approximate location after the iPhone detected a crash. You are receiving this message because I have you listed as an emergency contact.”
Rowan told 7NEWS she immediately tried to reach her son, but “he didn’t answer".
The devastating loss mirrors another tragedy for the Rowan family. Decades earlier, in 1993, Jacquelyne also lost her daughter in a similar road accident.
Speaking through tears, she said: “I feel like I’m a shell of myself, but I’ve got to keep going.”
With the support of loved ones, Rowan is now planning to bury Marc alongside his sister. A GoFundMe has been launched to help cover the costs and “ease the burden on his loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” while allowing the family “to say goodbye in a way that reflects the love and light Marc brought into the world.”
"Marc was one of those rare souls who made the world brighter just by being in it," the fundraiser reads. "He had a gentle strength, always ready to lend a hand, share a laugh, or offer quiet support when it was needed most. His kindness, generosity, and unwavering loyalty touched so many lives, and his loss is deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him."
Remembered by all who knew him as devoted and kind, Marc built a life defined by quiet strength and compassion.
“He would always step up, he was always there,” the grieving mom shared. “Nothing changed over the years, he would always put others first. If you need anything, Marc would be the first person to step up.”
“He drove trucks for many years, he loved the open road. He was well-mannered and praised for his work ethics and politeness,” she continued. “When he put his mind to something, he would make sure it was done.”
The 37-year-old's tragic death comes amid a worrying rise in road fatalities across Australia. As of mid-May 2025, Victoria has reported 117 road deaths, up from 104 at the same time last year.
In New South Wales, the toll has risen to 137, compared to 117 during the same period in 2024.
For Rowan, the numbers are more than just statistics - they represent a devastating reality. One that she's now lived through twice.