POLICE have appealed to motorists to take adequate breaks following a fatal crash near West Wyalong in which it is believed a tired driver drifted onto the wrong side of the road.
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A 69-year-old South Australian woman died at the scene and eight other people were injured – some seriously – in a three vehicle crash on the Newell Highway just north of West Wyalong about 4pm on Tuesday.
Griffith police duty officer, Inspector Kim Traynor, said the woman who died was driving south in a Toyota Prado.
“It appears the vehicle drifted onto the incorrect side of the roadway and collided with a Toyota Hilux going north on the Newell,” Inspector Traynor said.
The Prado then collided with a Honda Jazz travelling behind the Hilux.
Inspector Traynor said also in the Prado was the driver’s 71-year-old husband, who was airlifted to Orange Base Hospital with concussion and lacerations, and her 35-year-old son, who was treated at the scene for lacerations.
She said police had information indicating the Prado had left from Charters Towers and had been driven 1000 kilometres on Monday and 800km on Tuesday.
The three occupants had shared the driving and had stopped somewhere overnight Monday.
“But that is not always enough,” Inspector Traynor said.
“Travelling long distances in a car is fatiguing, even if you are not the driver.”
Inspector Traynor said it was believed the family’s destination was Naracoorte in South Australia, where the parents lived.
She said the Hilux was driven by a 62-year-old man from Windermere in Victoria, while his passenger was also 62, and from nearby Burrumbeet.
They were treated at the scene by paramedics for minor injuries.
The Honda Jazz was driven by a 58-year-old man from Tatura in Victoria.
Also in the car was the man’s 48-year-old wife, 24-year-old son and 19-year-old daughter.
The parents were treated at the scene for minor injuries, while their children were flown to Wagga Base Hospital suffering suspected fractures and internal injuries.
The South Australian woman was one of 14 people who have now died on NSW roads since December 18.
There have been 1034 major crashes in the same time period, police said.
