Stretch of road where fatal crash occurred site of previous fatal also, Coroner says
The death of 22-year-old woman, Macy Edwards, has sparked a call to make changes to windy, country road to prevent “further fatalities”. Here’s what the coroner said.
Tasmania
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A Tasmanian coroner has called for the examination of a northern Tasmanian road after a car crash claimed the life of a 22-year-old woman in 2023.
Coroner Simon Cooper handed down his findings on Wednesday into the March 2023 death of Wynyard woman Macy Jayne Edwards from a two-car collision.
On March 28, 2023, Ms Edwards was driving west in her Mazda vehicle on Frankford Road, a two-lane road with a posted speed limit of 100km/h.
The road conditions were recorded as wet and slippery due to rain during the day.
At around 2km before Saxon Creek Bridge, Ms Edwards vehicle moved into the wrong lane, and collided with Amanda Holloway driving a Toyota Hilux ute.
Both vehicles came to rest beside each other on a level dirt area, with passers-by stopping to assist both drivers.
Ms Holloway was able to get out of the vehicle by herself with only minor injuries, however Ms Edwards was described as “terribly injured” by Coroner Cooper. .
She required the assistance of the Tasmania Fire Service and Ambulance Tasmania to remove her from the car and transport her to the Launceston General Hospital before being transferred to the Royal Hobart Hospital due to the extent of her injuries.
There she underwent intensive brain surgery, including the removal of part of her skull to relieve pressure.
However, Ms Edwards did not make a “neurological recovery” and remained in hospital until her passing on June 8.
An extensive investigation into both drivers, vehicles and the crash site formed the basis for Coroner Cooper’s findings, with the vehicles’ damage and extent of injuries “consistent with a major crash”.
Neither driver had any alcohol or drugs in their system and inattention was not believed to be at play.
“The evidence satisfies me that the crash which claimed Ms Edward’s life occurred when her vehicle strayed into the incorrect lane,” Coroner Cooper said.
“The other driver involved was not in any way at fault.”
The 2016 crash that resulted in the death of Lindsay Forbes Wright at the same location as Ms Edwards crash was a cause for concern for Coroner Cooper.
He stated that it was apparent that changes needed to be put in place on that section of road to “minimise the risk of future fatalities”.
These included examination of the collision site by road authorities, resealing the curve with nonslip asphalt, lowering the speed limit on the curve, placing a ‘slippery when wet’ sign and installing edge lines throughout the curve.
The Department of State Growth was contacted for comment regarding the coroner’s recommendations.
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