A FAMILY gathering on Saturday has ended in tragedy, after two friends were killed in a car crash at Linton.Twenty two-year-old Buninyong man Timothy Vawdrey-Smith and 21-year-old Jade Dyson were killed after the white Ford ute they were travelling in hit a tree just after 8pm.The accident happened about 5km east of Linton on the Glenelg Hwy.The driver, a 23-year-old Ballarat man, escaped with unhurt.Mr Vawdrey-Smith was killed instantly, while emergency services worked to treat Ms Dyson at the scene before she was airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with multiple injuries. She died a short time later.Ms Dyson was the fiance of the 23-year-old Ballarat man. Friends said they had been engaged for only six months.Debris from the ute was strewn several metres along the highway.The rescue operation was hampered by a tree branch snapping and falling on the ute.Police said emergency services were working to cut Ms Dyson from the ute when they heard the branch cracking from the impact of the crash.Ms Dyson was quickly removed from the car, before the branch fell onto the vehicle.The highway was blocked for some time while police inspected the scene, with the road finally cleared yesterday afternoon.Members of Melbourne's Major Collision Unit revisited the scene yesterday to investigate the accident.The Major Collision Investigation Unit will prepare a report for the coroner.It is believed the trio was travelling back to Ballarat after attending a family gathering at Skipton.Police are appealing for any witnesses to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppers.com.auThe accident brings the state's road toll to 201.