Truck driver, 67, dead after his semi-trailer fell off Bluff Point Ferry at Lawrence, near Grafton

The employer of a truckie who died when his semi-trailer came off a ferry and plunged into the Clarence River has now weighed in on the tragic “freak accident”. Here’s the latest.

A multi-agency probe has been launched after a truckie died when his semi-trailer came off a ferry and plunged into a river in northern NSW.

The 67-year-old man was driving a SCT Logistics truck loaded with sugarcane on to the Bluff Point Ferry at Lawrence, near Grafton, about 10am on Thursday.

The ferry dislodged, it’s understood, and the truck ended up submerged in the Clarence River.

Bluff Point Ferry at Lawrence, near Grafton. Picture: NSW government

SCT Logistics chief financial officer Michael Fiteni spoke to this publication about the “freak accident”.

“Sadly, our sugar truck driver passed away yesterday following a freak accident involving a ferry,” he said.

“Our thoughts extend to his family and all our local team members.”

SCT has been assisting with the ongoing police investigation, he confirmed. The company has not released the name of the driver publicly.

Meanwhile, it emerged a quick-thinking bystander entered the water to retrieve the truckie and carried out CPR until emergency services arrived at the location about 25km north of Grafton.

Emergency services raced to Merton St, Lawrence after reports came in of the truck in deep water.

NSW Ambulance paramedics attempted CPR on the driver after he was pulled from the water, however, he was unable to be revived and died at the scene.

The truckie had not been formally identified as of late Thursday, according to NSW Police.

Coffs/Clarence Police District crime manager, Chief Inspector Guy Flaherty speaks about the tragedy. Picture: Toni Moon/Coffs Coast Advocate

It is understood he had travelled the same route and used the ferry before.

Coffs/Clarence Police District crime manager Chief Inspector Guy Flaherty said at Coffs Harbour Police Station on Thursday afternoon: “When one loses a loved one it’s shocking and distressing.”

“It’s such a tragedy and might I say an unusual accident,” he said.

“It’s obviously subject to a multi-agency investigation.”

“Our initial inquiries show this is a path that’s taken regularly by vehicles of this description, that may travel this path multiple times a day in the sugarcane harvest season.”

The scene was cleared for emergency workers, while investigations were ongoing on Friday.

A report will be prepared for the NSW Coroner, while Safe Work NSW has become involved.

Sunshine Sugar owns and runs sugar mills at Condong, Broadwater and Harwood, and also has a refinery at Harwood.

The organisation “is not directly involved” and the truck “is operated by SCT” with “the driver employed by them also”, a Sunshine Sugar spokeswoman earlier confirmed.

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