Mystery surrounds fatal NSW car crash

NSW police are trying to establish what happened in the moments before a car carrying a family of four left the road and smashed into a tree at high speed.

The Milne family left their Sydney home for one of their much-loved day trips to the beach but only one family member survived.

Water-loving parents Darren, 42, and Susana, 39, would often bundle their two young sons, aged seven and 11, into the car at their home in suburban Ryde and set out for jaunts to beaches and lakes.

Sunday was no different, until their car veered off the road at high speed and hit a tree on the Central Coast, killing three members of the family.

Mr and Mrs Milne and their 11-year-old son died at the scene at Berkeley Vale while the seven-year-old boy has been left fighting for life in Westmead Children's Hospital.

Police still don't know what caused the car to veer off the road at between 90-100km/h and crash.

The lack of any signs of braking before the fatal smash and absence of witnesses to shed light on what happened led police to search the family's Ryde home on Monday.

"We would be neglectful if we didn't search the house or look for a suicide note," Inspector Colin Lott told AAP.

"We have to tick all the boxes. Part of the investigation is to eliminate all possibilities."

It is understood police did not find a suicide note but were seen removing other material from the house.

Police had initially suggested inattention could have preceded the crash as there was no "savage movement" before the car went off the road.

Police had trouble locating the Milnes' next of kin, including Ms Milne's family who are in Mexico.

* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467


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