THE driver accused of killing six teenagers in a horror hit-run smash appeared in court amid tight security as tensions ran high in Mildura yesterday.
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People entering Mildura Magistrates' Court had their bags checked and were scanned for weapons as police and security guards flanked the building.
The accused man, Thomas Graham Towle, was driven in the back of a police van about 50m from the cells to the court house to ensure his safety.
Mr Towle, 34, wore a blue T-shirt and tracksuit pants as he sat with his head in his hands throughout the brief hearing.
His lawyer, Hugh Middleton, said he would not be applying for bail.
Mr Towle, who allegedly left two of his young children at the scene of the tragedy on Saturday night, was remanded to reappear before the court on June 26.
The charges against Mr Towle were upgraded after the death of 16-year-old Red Cliffs schoolgirl Josephine Calvi in the Royal Adelaide Hospital on Sunday night.
Mr Towle now faces six counts of culpable driving, four counts of negligently causing serious injury, one count of failing to stop at the scene of an accident and one count of failing to render assistance.
Killed instantly were brother and sister Shane and Abby Hirst, 16 and 17, Stevie-Lee Weight, 15, Cassandra Manners, 16, and Cory Dowling, 16.
Three teenagers remain in hospital.
As Mr Towle's relatives left the court yesterday, one lashed out at television cameras.
Mr Towle's mother, Jill Wilson, described the accident as a tragedy.
"I'm sorry this terrible, unthinkable accident happened," she said.
"I'm grieving for those families. They're so young and I feel for the grandmothers and the mothers and fathers and the friends."
She said her family had received death threats.
Mr Towle's brother Darren said the family was "in shock and scared" by the death threats.
"We are very sorry  it was just a freak accident," he said.
Family friend Tamara Ritchie said Mr Towle's wife, Belinda, was trying to look after five traumatised children.
"People have been saying, `We are going to get your kids. Don't think our kids are going without yours'," Ms Ritchie said.
Police would investigate the threats if a complaint was laid, a spokesman said.
Mildura mayor Eddie Warhurst and senior police called for calm.
"I could probably understand the anger and the angst and the desire to blame someone or something, but common sense must reign. All we can do is have faith in our legal processes," he said.
The police officer in charge of the investigation, Acting Insp Mick Talbot, also asked for the community to help. "Let us do our job. Talk to us," he said.
"Stay calm and let us do what we have to do."
Prime Minister John Howard said all Australians were mourning the six victims.
"It's just such a tragic loss of young lives, it's heartbreaking," he said.
"I, like all other Australians, am just so dreadfully sorry and I can't do more than express my profound sympathy and condolences to those who have lost their children and their friends, their brothers, their sisters. It's a terrible accident."
Premier Steve Bracks also expressed his sorrow.
"Mildura is a close-knit community and the loss of these six young people will be felt for a long time to come," he said.
"As a parent myself of teenage children my thoughts and sympathy go out to all those involved." The State Government will provide $40,000 to fund counselling and support services.
Six teenagers were killed in a horrific road accident near Mildura in north-western Victoria, Australia late at night on February 18. 

Cassandra Manners, aged 16, Stevie-Lee Weight, 15, Cory Dowling, 16, Shane Hirst, 16, and his sister, Abby Hirst, 17, died at the scene. Josephine Calvi, 16, was flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where she later died of head injuries. Seven other teenagers were injured, including 15-year-old Marco Medici who is now in a stable but critical condition in The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.

The accident occurred after the teenagers left a 16th birthday party and walked along Myall Road, Cardross, south-east of Mildura. A car allegedly came speeding around a bend, hit the gravel on the side of the road, lost control and struck the group. The alleged driver, later identified as 34-year-old Thomas Graham Towle, fled the scene on foot, leaving his 10-year-old daughter and four-year-old son in the car. Towle was later arrested by police in Redcliffs. He was taken to Mildura police station for questioning.

Towle has been charged with six charges of culpable driving causing death, four charges of negligently causing serious injury, one charge of failing to stop and one charge of failing to render assistance after an accident. Towle faced Mildura Magistrates' Court on February 20. Magistrate John Dugdale remanded him into custody to reappear before the court on June 26.

Meanwhile, the town of Mildura and surrounding areas is in deep mourning. Premier Steve Bracks said the State Government will provide $AU40,000 for counselling and support services.

Around 3,000 people attended the funeral for Josephine Calvi today. Funeral services for the other five teenagers were held last week.