B-double passenger suffers serious injuries after driver attempts evasive action to avoid stationary vehicles on the Newell Highway
June 16, 2011
A B-double passenger has been airlifted to hospital with serious injuries and a section of the Newell Highway has been closed after a crash earlier today.
The 48-year-old man was trapped for several hours near Peak Hill south of Dubbo until emergency personnel released him. He suffered fractures to both legs and is in a stable condition.
NSW Police says a number of vehicles had stopped about 7:15am at a controlled road works site on the highway when the B-double approached.
“A B-double truck was approaching the stationary vehicles and has attempted to take evasive action by swerving and clipping the corner of the stationary heavy rigid tanker,” a police statement says.
“The B-double truck eventually came to a stop in bushland after colliding with a tree. The 30-year-old driver sustained minor injuries and was able to free himself from the wreckage.”
The tanker driver suffered a fractured arm and was taken to hospital, while the occupants of nearby cars received minor injuries.
“As a result of the incident, the Newell Highway is currently closed and will remain affected until late afternoon when the salvage operation will be conducted.”
There has been no official word on when the route will reopen, but police have imposed local diversions. They are asking heavy vehicles to avoid the section of highway and divert at Dubbo, Wellington or Orange.