A teenager has been critically injured when a car reportedly swerved to avoid a wombat and crashed in the Southern Highlands overnight, NSW Police say.
The crash happened about 11.30pm (Tuesday 21 August 2018), on the Illawarra Highway at Burrawang about 15km east of Moss Vale, when the westbound sedan left the road and struck a tree.
Police have been told the driver swerved to avoid a wombat on the road.
A 15-year-old boy was thrown from the vehicle and sustained serious head injuries. He was airlifted to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead in a critical but stable condition.
The driver was taken to Liverpool Hospital, while the remaining two passengers are being treated for minor injuries.
The Illawarra Highway remains closed as police attached to the Crash Investigation Unit (CIU) examine the scene.
An off-duty nurse was first on-site and rendered assistance until emergency service personnel arrived.
They were assisted by volunteers from the local Rural Fire Service (RFS).
Officers from South Coast Police District established a crime scene as Crash Investigation Unit officers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam vision of the incident – or the events leading up to the crash – is urged to come forward.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
