A Mount Gambier man accused of killing two children in a three-car crash involving an emu has been granted bail despite police concerns that his mobile phone was taken from the scene and has not been found since then.

Warning: This story contains graphic imagery that readers may find disturbing.

The magistrate pointed out that any interference with the police investigation by hiding the phone could not have been done by the accused since he was in custody till late this afternoon.

Callum Thorne, 22, is charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and four counts of causing injury by dangerous driving.

Police say a black sedan collided with an emu Sunday, leaving the driver uninjured.

They said a Toyota station wagon traveling behind the sedan then braked to avoid the crash and Mr Thorne’s white Nissan then crashed into the back of the Toyota.

Isaac Eykelenburg, 5, who was a passenger in the station wagon, died at the scene.

Issac’s sister, 15-year-old Keziah Eykelenburg, who was also in the car, was taken to hospital in Adelaide with serious injuries but died on Monday night.

The children’s parents – Chris and Paula Eykelenburg – were injured, along with two more of their children, aged 6 and 13.

The concern phone is hidden

Police told the Adelaide Magistrates Court that Mr Thorne’s phone was heard ringing at the scene of the accident and then a nurse gave it to either Mr Thorne’s mother or girlfriend.

It was then spotted heading south towards Mount Gambier at 4.30pm and stopped at 4.46pm on Sunday.

Police were unable to find him during a search of the home where Mr Thorne lives with his family, including his father, who is sheriff at Mount Gambier Magistrates’ Court.

The prosecutor said he was “pinged” at the Thorne family home at 12pm today before Thorne’s father visited him in custody, but not afterwards.

A search for the term “GoDark bag” was found on Thorne’s brother’s tablet, referring to a bag in which a phone can be placed to hide its signals from the police.

The prosecutor asked for Mr Thorne to be remanded in custody for six months, but Magistrate Benjamin Sale granted Mr Thorne bail until May, noting his lack of record and the chance the charges could be downgraded.

“I am troubled by the allegation of interference with the police investigation into the recovery of the accused’s mobile phone, but not that any interference could or would not take place while Mr Thorne is in custody,” Magistrate Sale said.

Mr Thorne will appear in court again in May.