Another seven people will not be returning home to their loved ones these holidays after a tragic 24 hours on the state’s roads, NSW Police say.
In an incident which claimed three lives, police and emergency services responded to a two-car crash on the Princes Highway at Bendalong, north of Ulladulla, about 10.45am yesterday (Tuesday 26 December 2017).
Three people died at the scene and two women were airlifted to hospital in a critical condition, after the head-on crash which incinerated both vehicles. Due to the severity of the crash, the deceased have not yet been formally identified.
Another three people were also killed on country roads in Wauchope, Peak Hill and Taree.
A 63-year-old man was killed when his car left the road at Pappinbarra, near Port Macquarie, and he was ejected from the vehicle.
A 23-year-old woman passenger was killed on the Newell Highway at Peak Hill, north of Parkes, when she fell out of a Jeep and hit a road sign.
A 25-year-old woman was killed when the Holden SUV she was driving, left the road at Glenthorne, near Taree and hit a tree.
A 42-year-old man was also killed in Sydney’s west when the Ford Falcon he was driving crashed into the rear of a parked semi-trailer at Emu Plains.
The seven people killed brings the number of lives lost during Operation Safe Arrival 2017 to 21.
The state’s Traffic & Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, said people need to consider safety as their number one priority when travelling the state’s roads these holidays.
"There is nothing worse for any police officer than to knock on a door to tell someone their loved one has died," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
"Many of these incidents are totally preventable if people would just slow down, rest and not be distracted during their trip."
LIST OF FATALITIES:
16 December 2017
- A 28-year-old man died after a single-vehicle crash at Mt Druitt
- A 53-year-old man died after a single-vehicle crash at Barellan (near Griffith)
- A 39-year-old woman died after a single-vehicle crash at St Marys
- A 38-year-old woman died after a single-vehicle crash at Yeoval (near Dubbo)
17 December 2017
- An 18-year-old man died after a single-vehicle crash at Coolabah (near Nyngan)
21 December 2017
- A 24-year-old man and a 15-year-old girl died after a single-vehicle crash at Darlington Point (near Griffith)
- A 21-year-old woman died when hit by a car at Wallsend
Friday 22 December 2017
- A 77-year-old woman died after being hit by a car at St Leonards
- A 72-year-old man died after a multi-vehicle crash at Carlingford
- A 48-year-old man died after a multi-vehicle crash at Fernside (near Kyogle)
23 December 2017
- A 27-year-old man died when his motorcycle crashed at Dorrigo
- A 25-year-old man died when a car and taxi collided in Walcha
25 December 2017
- A 44-year-old man died after a single-vehicle crash at Beelbangera (near Griffith)
26 December 2017
- A 63-year-old man died after a single-vehicle crash at Pappinbarra (near Port Macquarie)
- Three people died in a head-on crash south of Sussex Inlet (they are yet to be identified).
- A 25-year-old woman died after a single-vehicle crash at Glenthorne (near Taree)
- A 23-year-old woman died after falling from a 4WD at Peak Hill (near Parkes)
- A 43-year-old man died after a single-vehicle crash at Emu Plains
(NB: The deaths of a two-year-old girl (Campsie) and a 53-year-old man (Bonnyrigg) have not been included in these statistics as inquiries have revealed they occurred on private property.)
Key statistics (Cumulative total):
Total infringements issued: 50,252
Speed infringements: 13,430
Breath tests: 433,838
Drink-driving charges: 758
Major crashes: 1,057
Lives lost: 21
