Three hurt in Newybar crash

A MAN was airlifted to Lismore Base Hospital with chest injuries after a two-car accident at a notorious Newrybar intersection yesterday afternoon.

The two-vehicle accident scene at the intersection of Fernleigh Road and Friday Hut Road, Newrybar. . Picture: Jacklyn Wagner

A MAN was airlifted to Lismore Base Hospital with chest injuries after a two-car accident at a notoriousNewrybar intersection yesterday afternoon.

The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter was called to the scene on the corner of Friday Hut Road and Fernleigh Road at 3.20pm.

Emergency service workers estimated the man, who also complained of spinal pain, was in his 20s or 30s.

Two other people were also injured in the accident andtaken to hospital.

It is understood they were a female learner driver and a baby.

The driver of the other car, Ian Piper, 48, of Kingscliff, received only minor bruising caused by the airbag.

“I know that I’m pretty lucky,” he said.

“I’ve got no idea what happened. The other car seemed to come from nowhere.”

Nearby resident Simon Scales said he had heard a ‘loud bang’ and came running to help.

“I was outside when it happened,” he said.

“There was smoke coming out of both of the cars.

“I said to the driver of the silver car (Mr Piper), ‘mate, you’ve got to get out of there’.

“A woman who lives down the road was helping thepeople in the other car.

“The passenger was going in and out of consciousness.

“I reckon that woman saved his life.

“She kept talking to him, got him out of the car and was looking after him.

“They are all bloody lucky to be alive.”

Mr Scales said the intersection was very dangerous and that residents had been worried about it for years.

“It’s really bad because you can’t see what’s coming,” he said.

“You take your chanceevery morning. Something needs to be done.”

The man airlifted to hospital remained in a serious but stable condition last night.

Originally published as Three hurt in Newybar crash