Man dies after chicken wire crash at Swan Creek, driver comes forward

Coffs/Clarence Police have confirmed tragic news this morning following the highway collision on Big River Way involving a large roll of chicken wire.

The incident occurred at Swan Creek, a few kilometres south of Ulmarra, NSW.

A Clarence Valley man who was critically injured in a highway incident on Friday has died.

Coffs/Clarence Police confirmed the tragic news to The Daily Examiner on Monday morning that the Ulmarra man succumbed to his injuries Sunday morning at around 9am.

Investigations will continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Anyone who may have information or dashcam footage are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the website at nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.

The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

EARLIER

A driver has come forward following a highway incident that left a Clarence Valley man with critical injuries.

Just after 6pm on Friday, August 6 a large roll of chicken wire came loose from a vehicle, believed to be a prime mover, driving north on Big River Way at Swan Creek. The wire fell from the back of the vehicle and smashed the windscreen of another vehicle following behind resulting in serious injuries to the 35-year-old male driver from Ulmarra.

The two passengers of the vehicle, an eight-year-old girl, and a three-year-old boy, were not injured.

It’s not known if the driver of the vehicle the wire dislodged from was aware the incident had occurred at the time.

Listen to Cowper, a podcast created by Daily Examiner journalist Jenna Thompson about what really happened during the 1989 Cowper Bus Disaster. Listen to the trailer below:

Click here for more episodes of Cowper

Local ambulance paramedics and emergency services attended the location and commenced treatment of the man prior to being taken by road to the South Grafton Airport where the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Critical Care Medical Team assembled.

Due to the nature of injuries, the driver was placed into an induced coma and put on a life support machine prior to being flown to the Gold Coast University Hospital suffering serious chest, facial and head injuries.

NSW Police Media have confirmed that the 65-year-old driver of a prime mover attended Glen Innes Police Station on Saturday and spoke with police in relation to the incident. He was released pending further inquiries.

A spokesperson for NSW Police confirmed on Sunday that the man remained in critical condition in hospital and investigations continue into the incident.

Officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District secured a crime scene which was later examined by specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit.

Anyone who may have information or dashcam footage are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the website at nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.

The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.