‘It’s a racetrack’: Crashes a regular occurrence on suburban stretch resident says

“We’ve had many, many crashes along this stretch … We know the noise when two cars collide.”

Sawtell Road resident Brian Lambert said crashes were a regular occurrence on the stretch of road outside his home. Mr Lambert's property was damaged on Thursday, June 3 following a serious head-on crash.

A long-time resident of Sawtell Road, Brian Lambert has become almost accustomed to the horrific sound of a car crash outside his home.

“It’s a racetrack. We’ve had many, many crashes along this stretch,” he said.

“We know the noise when two cars collide.”

Mr Lambert’s comments came after a head-on crash outside his home on Thursday in which four people were injured, including one man who was hospitalised in a critical but stable condition.

Emergency services worked desperately to free the 64-year-old driver after he became trapped inside his upturned vehicle. The three occupants of the second car were able to self-extricate and did not suffer significant injuries.

The serious crash took place on Sawtell Road, Toormina on Thursday.

Mr Lambert’s letter box and fence were taken out by the impact.

“We heard a big bang as usual on this road. Came out and two cars had collided,” Mr Lambert recalled.

“We were sitting in the kitchen at the back of the house, but we know the signs.”

Mr Lambert said that while the crash was the first in many months, a solution was needed to prevent people from speeding along the road. He said he often found it difficult to leave his driveway because of drivers speeding, often being forced to go through backstreets.

He said a greater police presence was needed.

“It’s just speed. I think if the police just patrolled it a bit more, that’ll knock them back,” he said.

“I backed out once many, many years ago across the double white line and I got a $200 fine. I’m the only one I know that’s got fined down here.”

The crash after midday on Thursday resulted in Sawtell Rd being closed for several hours between the Wirrabilla Dr and Noomba St intersections.

Traffic was diverted as the clean up was underway, and the road did not re-open until around 10pm.

Station Officer at Coffs Harbour Ambulance Station, Dain Willoughby, said NSW Ambulance, SES, Fire and Rescue NSW and police were all involved.

“It was a successful, but difficult situation in that location on Sawtell Road,” he said.