What was meant to be an exciting search for the perfect rural retreat in the NSW Hunter region turned to tragedy for two families after a crash killed a father, a grandfather and a Scone real estate agent while a five-year-old Sydney boy miraculously survived.
Balmain businessman Paul Christie, 42, and his Queensland father Bill Christie, 75, both died in the crash and have been remembered as "much-loved" men.
The Scone community is also mourning the loss of the respected local man, Adam O'Regan.
Bill Christie's wife, Wendy, says the family is shattered over the loss of the "a husband, brother and son and a husband and a grandfather", News Corp reports.
She said her heart went out to the O'Regan family.
Mr O'Regan, a 48-year-old father of three, was showing the three generations of the Christie family around the lush rural 280-hectare property off Waverley Road in Gundy, near Scone, on Monday when his 4WD crashed.
Five-year-old Hugh Christie was found near the wreck hours after the vehicle rolled down a 200m embankment.
Police believe Mr O'Regan was behind the wheel when the 4WD lost traction in the slippery conditions after recent rainfall.
The bodies of the men were flung from the wreckage.
Wendy Christie also thanked emergency services for their recovery efforts.
Paul Christie, a father of two, was the director of a financial planning business in Sydney.
Aside from coaching his son's rugby team in Balmain, he loved "escaping the city and going camping with his wife and two children as regularly as he can", News Corp reports.
His father Bill Christie was a retired radiographer and cattle farmer.
The Christie family said while Hugh was shaken by the accident, the family would be there to care for him as he recovers.
Respected Scone local Mr O'Regan has been described as exceptional by his family, who have asked for privacy while they grieve.
