Police are urging motorists to slow down, stay alert and adhere to rules and safety warnings in the region after the road death toll has reached six in less than a fortnight.
Despite a heavy handed campaign and resourced approach during Operation Safe Arrival and Play Safe Stay Safe, the state’s road toll spiked at 19 over the festive season- and many were too close to home.
The latest tragedy struck when two people were killed in a car accident on the Pacific Highway near Kew on Monday, January 9.
About 6am emergency services were called to the Pacific Hwy, about 1.5 kilometres north of the intersection with Hammond Vale Road, following reports of a crash.
A blue Toyota Rav4 was being driven in a northerly direction along the highway when it left the straight stretch of road and crashed into a tree.
The male driver and his female passenger, both aged in their 20s to 30s, were located deceased at the scene.
They are believed to be from the Sydney area.
Officers from the Kempsey Crash Investigation Unit attended the scene and conducted examinations of the crash site.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are continuing with police looking at whether fatigue was a contributing factor.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
But the carnage has continued to ravage the region.
About 5am on Sunday, January 8, a 2002-model Kenworth prime mover with a b-double trailer was travelling south on the Pacific Highway, about 27km south of Coffs Harbour.
Investigators believe the truck driver attempted to avoid a collision with a northbound Holden Commodore utility which was in the southbound lanes.
The truck driver, a 51-year-old man from Queensland, was unable to avoid the utility and was forced off the road, hitting a house.
The ute driver, 38-year-old David Levett from Nambucca Heads, died at the scene.
11-year-old Max McGregor from Penrith was killed when the truck crashed into a room of the house he was sleeping in.
His parents, brother and two neighbours escaped with minor injuries and were taken to Coffs Harbour Hospital for treatment.
The truck driver and his male passenger sustained chest injuries and were also taken to Coffs Harbour Hospital.
Police from Urunga and Coffs Harbour, NSW Ambulance Paramedics, SES volunteers, NSW Fire and Rescue, and officers from the Crash Investigation Unit responded to the incident.
Police and emergency services remained at the scene of the crash for several hours, which blocked the Pacific Highway at Urunga, south of Coffs Harbour.
Diversions were put in place for heavy vehicles.
Local diversions remained in place for light vehicles.
Officers attached to the Mid North Coast Crash Investigation Unit are continuing their investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident but do not believe speed was a factor.
Police will be preparing a report for the Coroner.
The horror road toll truly hit home in the early hours of New Year’s day.
Two local teenage pedestrians were killed in a motor vehicle incident near Port Macquarie.
About 12.35pm on Sunday, January 1, Kane Bramble, a 19-year-old male from Port Macquarie, and Clint Ritchie, a 16-year-old male from Wauchope, were walking in an easterly direction on the Oxley Highway at Sancrox when they were hit by an eastbound 1990 Nissan Patrol.
The teenagers died at the scene.
The vehicle driver, a 37-year-old man, was subjected to a roadside breath test.
He was taken to Port Macquarie Police Station and subsequently passed a further breath analysis.
The driver has been questioned by police in relation to the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Nissan has been seized for examination. A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams pleaded with tourists and residents to take it easy on our roads.
“The fatalities on local roads is a tragic start to the new year and a very timely reminder that we need to take extreme care driving on local roads and highways, especially at this very busy time of the year,” she said.
“It also reiterates the need to utilise the driver reviver stops along the highway and take a rest at the first signs of fatigue.
“I implore people to please slow down and drive to the road conditions.”
Anyone with information about the crashes or events leading up to them and have not yet spoken to police are asked to contact the Mid North Coast Crash Investigation Unit on 6561 6018, Port Macquarie Police on 6583 0199 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
