A couple were killed when the ute they were travelling in was struck head-on by another vehicle that is believed to have crossed onto the wrong side of the road.
Dianne Perry, 52, was behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Triton when witnesses claim a Ford Ranger “veered across double lines” at the Barton Highway at Jeir, about 30 kilometres of Yass, and smashed into her ute early on Good Friday morning.
She is believed to have been killed instantly while her husband Craig Perry, 54, received medical assistance before he died at the scene a short time later.
The driver and two passengers in the Ford, believed to be two men aged in their 20s, were critically injured and trapped in the twisted metal as they waited for help.
Three rescue helicopters and multiple ambulance crews, police and fire and rescue were immediately dispatched to the wet crash scene.
The occupants of the Ford were cut out and given first aid but the driver and rear passenger died at the scene.
The front passenger suffered critical injuries and he was rushed to Canberra hospital where he remains in a critical condition on Saturday.
Police sources told The Daily Telegraph the driver and rear passenger are still yet to be formally identified as they were not carrying identification.
Local residents claimed the stretch of highway had seen its “fair share of accidents and near misses” particularly during the holiday season.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said it was a traumatic scene for crews and Good Samaritans who helped.
“Ultimately our thoughts are with the family, the friends and the local community that will no doubt feel the impact of these deaths,” she said.
Barton Highway was closed in both directions for about seven hours as crash investigators tried to determine how the smash happened.
Speed will likely be a factor, as well as the weather as it was heavily raining at the time of the collision.
New South Wales Police had warned prior to the Easter long weekend there would be a high visibility of its force on all roads.
On the first day of its operation, 39 motorists were busted drink driving, 69 tested positive to driving under the influence of drugs.
While 1,700 fines were handed out, 600 of those for speeding.
Double demerits continue until Monday 11:59pm.
Source: skynews.com.au
