Four dead after horror crash on Good Friday as Easter road toll hits six

Six people have died in one Australian state in just 24 hours, with police already issuing more than 1700 fines as they issue a plea to drivers.

Drivers are being urged to be cautious over the Easter long weekend after six people died in fatal crashes in what NSW Police are calling a “horrific” 24 hours on our roads.

Four people were killed and another is fighting for life after a two-car crash at Jeir, near the ACT border, on Friday.

Police have confirmed a a 52-year-old woman, a 54-year-old man, and two men believed to be in their 20s died at the scene.

A motorcycle rider was also killed on Waterfall Way at Hernai, west of Bellingen, north of Coffs Harbour on Friday.

It comes after a 22-year old man died in Oakville in Sydney’s north after crashing into a wall at about 2.30pm on Thursday.

NSW Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman, said police were urging drivers to remain cautious on the roads.

“It’s really important at the end of the day everytime someone gets behind the wheel of a vehicle or gets on a motorbike they accept responsibility and that responsibility is to do everything they can to keep themselves, their passengers and other road users safe,” Ms Chapman said.

“Police can only do so much.”

Emergency services were alerted to the collision between two utes at Jeir, about 30km south of Yass and near the ACT border, at about 6.50am on Friday.

Several ambulance crews and a rescue helicopter attended the scene, where they found people trapped in a Ford Ranger utility and a Mitsubishi Triton utility which had collided.

Four people have died following a crash north of Canberra in a head-on, two-ute crash on the Barton Hwy. Picture: OnScene ACT

A man is being treated for serious injuries following the horror crash north of Canberra. Picture: OnScene ACT

The 52-year-old female driver and her 54-year-old male passenger of the Mitsubishi, and a male driver and male passenger, both believed to be in their 20s, in the Ford died at the scene.

While they have not been formally identified, Ms Chapman said it’s believed some of the people killed in the crash were local to the area.

“Two cars with multiple deceased is no doubt a scene that is horrific but ultimately our thoughts are with the family, friends and local community that will no doubt will feel the impact of these deaths,” Ms Chapman said.

Emergency crews were called to Barton Hwy following the deadly crash. Picture: OnScene ACT

Another male passenger, believed to be his 20s, who was in the Ford, was taken to hospital after being treated for his injuries at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics.

It’s understood he is in a critical condition.

NSW Fire and Rescue worked tirelessly to “cut several people” out of the vehicles after the crash.

JEIR | #FRNSW rescue working to cut several people out of vehicles after a serious crash on the Barton Hwy near Casuarina Lane. @LiveTrafficNSW@NSWAmbulance@nswpolice

— Fire and Rescue NSW (@FRNSW) April 6, 2023

The Barton Hwy has been closed in both directions following the crash, which occurred at the intersection of Casuarina Laneway.

Motorists are being urged to allow for plenty of extra travel time and follow the directions of emergency services and traffic crews on scene. 

Drivers are being urged to expect major delays. Picture: OnScene ACT

The Barton Hwy is expected to be closed for hours following the crash. Picture: OnScene ACT

Diversions are in place in both directions, with southbound drivers being redirected between Murrumbateman Rd and Sutton Rd to the Federal Highway in Canberra.

Meanwhile, northbound drivers using the Federal Highway in Canberra are being redirected to use Sutton Rd then Murrumbateman Rd to the Barton Highway.

These diversions are not suitable for B-doubles, which can use Hume Highway and Federal Highway.

It is unknown when the highway will reopen.

Police have set up a crime scene as they investigate the crash and are urging anyone with dashcam footage or any other information to contact Crime Stoppers.

Four people died along the Barton Highway north of Canberra, causing major delays for motorists heading away for the long weekend. Picture: Live Traffic NSW

Drivers along the Barton Highway are being redirected. Picture: OnScene ACT

Meanwhile, Waterfall Way remains closed in both directions at Hernani, west of Bellingen, due to a car and motorcycle crash near Bald Hill Road.

Emergency crews were called to the scene but sadly the motorcycle rider died at the scene.

Traffic in both directions is being diverted from Tyringham Road at Dorrigo and Armidale Road at Tyringham.

Motorists should allow extra travel time and follow the directions of emergency services and traffic crews on scene.

It is unclear when the road will reopen.

NSW Police have urged people to drive carefully over the Easter long weekend.

It comes after a 22-year old man died in Oakville in Sydney’s north after crashing into a wall at about 2.30pm on Thursday.

The sole driver of the Toyota hatchback died at the scene.

The crash is being investigated by police.

Police are will issuing double demerit points for reckless behaviour such as excessive speeding and mobile phone use in a five-day operation which began on Thursday and will run until 11.59pm on Monday.

Lengthy delays are expected across the state. Picture: OnScene ACT

Drivers hoping to escape for the Easter long-weekend are being reminded to drive cautiously. PICTURE: OnScene ACT

Ms Chapman said police would continue to be out in force to target bad driving behaviours.

“Ultimately we urge drivers to follow the rules,” she said.

“The message is pretty simple, drive to the speed limit and drive to the conditions.

“Don’t drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and certainly have a plan b if you’re planning to drink.

“And focus on the road and not on your phones.”

She said police had already caught 39 people who were driving over the prescribed limit of alcohol, 69 people who were tested positive to roadside drug testing and more than 1700 infringements issued.

“Over 600 of those were for speeding offences,” Ms Chapman said.

She said there had been seven road fatalities over the Easter long weekends in both 2022 and 2021.

“The goal this year is to reduce that number,” she said.

“The message is simple; drive to the speed limit, focus on the road – not your phone – and make sure you have a plan B if you are drinking.”

Meanwhile, another person died in a single-vehicle car crash in regional Victoria a few hours before the fatal Barton Highway collision.

The car crashed into a tree and caught fire at about 3.15am near Bendigo.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene, police said.

Detectives are yet to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the crash and will prepare a report for the Coroner.

Originally published as Four dead after horror crash on Good Friday as Easter road toll hits six