Two men have died, and multiple others injured following a multi-vehicle crash in the states Central Tablelands yesterday.
About 12.50pm (Friday 29 December 2023), emergency services responded to the Great Western Highway, Wallerawang, about 15km north of Lithgow, after reports of a five-vehicle crash.
An eastbound Isuzu D-max – towing a motorcycle trailer – and a westbound Toyota Hilux collided before the Toyota struck a Hyundai Tuscan causing it to leave the roadway, trapping the occupants while the Isuzu struck a Kia Carnival head on. A Nissan Patrol – towing a caravan and travelling behind the Isuzu – struck the trailer.
The Isuzu driver, a 42-year-old man, and the Kia driver, a 49-year-old man, were trapped and died at the scene.
The six passengers of Kia, a 41-year-old woman and five children – aged between five and 15 – suffered varying injuries. They were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Westmead and Westmead Children’s Hospital. One child remains in a critical but stable condition, the four others are stable while the woman has since been released.
The Hyundai driver, a 55-year-old man, suffered multiple fractures and was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital, while his two passengers were also taken to hospital for treatment. They all remain in stable conditions.
The four occupants of the Toyota and four occupants of the Nissan were assessed at the scene. The two drivers, aged 39 and 42, were taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
Officers from Chifley Police District established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit and an investigation continues into the circumsnatces surrounding the crash.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
