Factor contestant Nathaniel O’Brien killed in SA auto crash

A FORMER contestant on the television talent show X Factor has been killed in vehicle crash, just hours after performing at a country music festival in South Australia.

Nathaniel O’Brien made it to the bootcamp stage of Australia’s X Factor last season, powering out auditions such as this.

South Australia Police said that crash investigators were examining circumstances regarding the incident and that a report would be later prepared by the coroner.

He had performed at the music festival earlier that day and was due to perform at the Tea Tree Gully Hotel that night.

On the reality show past year, O’Brien progressed to the Top 24 and was coached by Rogue Traders’ Natalie Bassingthwaighte, who posted a short tribute on Twitter yesterday.

Nathaniel’s family had strong musical links in the Burra community and his parents, Danny and Karen O’Brien, started the Country Music festival where their son performed his last song, according to local radio host Wally Sparrow.

Fans took to social media with their tributes, saying the young musician was a “beautiful soul” and an “amazing voice and person”. “He was an unbelievable talent and he won nearly everything he went in”.

Among the many messages of condolences on his Facebook page is one from friend Anne Clampett, who wrote: “Shattered by the news of the death of Nathaniel O’Brien. So hard knowing we will never again see you perform”. “What a spectacular young man with the voice of an angel”.