Clareville woman dies after Bilgola Bends head-on crash

Police are investigating the cause of a deadly crash on a notorious stretch of road on the northern beaches which claimed the life of a local woman.

An elderly woman who was trapped in her crushed car for about an hour after a head-on crash on a notorious stretch of road on the northern beaches has died in hospital.

The woman, 79, from Clareville, had to be freed from the vehicle after two cars collided on the “Bilgola Bends” at about 10am on Friday, July 16.

Northern Beaches Police are investigating the cause of the crash.

Emergency services at the fatal crash scene between a Mazda 6 and a Subaru Forester towing a trailer, on the Bilgola Bends on Barrenjoey Rd. Picture: Molly Dodd (Facebook)

Emergency services were called to the section of Barrenjoey Rd, near the intersection with The Serpentine, above Bilgola Beach, to free the woman from her Mazda 6 sedan.

It had collided head-on with a Subaru Forester 4WD towing a trailer.

Barrenjoey Rd was blocked in both directions as the woman was freed from her car by firefighters from the Avalon Beach and Narrabeen brigades.

Three NSW Ambulance crews were also called.

The Subaru driver, 68, received minor injuries.

When the woman was released from her car, she was assessed by paramedics for spinal injuries.

An accident on the Bilgola Bends, at Attunga Rd and Barrenjoey Rd, involving a collision between this sports car and a 4WD in 2006. Picture: Martin Lange

Two NSW Ambulance paramedic road crews along with the CareFlight rescue helicopter with a critical care doctor and a critical care paramedic on board were sent to the scene.

“There was smoke coming from one of the cars and some angst from onlookers over a female that was injured.” Ambulance Inspector Mark Whittaker said.

“Paramedics worked with Fire and Rescue NSW to delicately remove the lady from the damaged car as there was fear that she had injured her neck.

Another smash on the Bilgola Bends in 2001. Picture: Supplied

“Emergency services were all in today, it was a fantastic team effort.”

The woman was taken by road, with the CareFlight medical team assisting, to the Royal North Shore Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Police confirmed on the woman died in hospital on Tuesday.

“Officers from the Northern Beaches Police Area Command are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision and are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident, or has dashcam vision, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” a spokesman said.

Yet another crash on the Bilgola Bends in 2001. Picture: Ros Cannon

Locals have been complaining for decades about the narrowness of Barrenjoey Rd at the Bilgola Bends where there has been numerous accidents.