Coffs Harbour cyclist injured after garbage truck collision at Sawtell

A male cyclist riding in a group sustained serious lower leg injuries after the shocking collision and the garbage truck driver taken for mandatory testing. Watch videos from the scene.

A cyclist is in a critical condition after he collided with a garbage truck along busy Sawtell Road on Thursday morning.

It is believed the truck was pulling out from the curb after emptying a bin, when the collision happened.

The 72-year-old, who is well known in the riding fraternity, suffered serious injuries to both legs.

A 28-year-old man, who was driving the garbage truck at the time, has been taken to Coffs Harbour Base Hospital for mandatory testing.

A cyclist was hit by garbage truck on Thursday morning, November 10 at Sawtell. Picture: Frank Redward.

The man had been riding in a small group of cyclists of a similar age at the time.

Paramedics were called to the scene around 7.20am opposite 63 Sawtell Road at Toormina.

NSW Ambulance Inspector Chris Wilson said when paramedics arrived they treated the man for “serious, lower limb injuries and he was conveyed to Coffs Harbour hospital in a serious and critical condition”.

Around noon on Thursday a spokesperson from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service said their Lismore aircraft was “currently at Coffs Harbour to retrieve the patient” but it was not known where he would be taken at that stage.

A NSW Police Force spokesperson later confirmed that he was airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition.

Garbage truck and cyclist crash at Toormina on Thursday, November 10. Picture: Frank Redward

Mr Wilson praised paramedics and members of the public who stopped to assist in the situation which he described as “quite chaotic at times”.

Mr Wilson has urged the community to take extra care on the roads coming into summer.

“We wish the public to take care on our roads and be extra vigilant this holiday season particularly.”

Fellow cyclists were in shock following the collision of one of their riding mates with a garbage truck at Toormina on Thursday morning, November 10. Picture: Frank Redward

It is a notorious stretch of road with locals speaking out about its dangers following a horror accident there in June 2021.

Sawtell Road runs from the Pacific Highway at Boambee, through Toormina towards Sawtell.

Officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District have commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has dash cam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.