Man dead, dozens injured after car, bus crash on Mitchell Highway near Dubbo

A man has been killed after his car crashed into a bus on a major NSW highway, moments after it had been involved in a police pursuit which was called off due to safety concerns.

A man who was killed when his car collided with a bus in NSW’s Central West had been involved in a police chase moments before the horror crash.

Police were in pursuit of the car after responding to a domestic incident near Dubbo.

“That vehicle crossed to the incorrect side of the road and collided with the bus traveling in the other direction,” Assistant Commisioner Rod Smith said on Saturday afternoon.

“A 54-year-old woman that was driving the bus took evasive action and probably saved the lives of a lot of people.

“Police were responding to a volatile situation and it’s led to a terrible outcome,” he said.

Dozens of bus passengers were injured in the collision, with emergency crews rushing to the Mitchell Highway southeast of Dubbo on Saturday morning.

A 32-year-old man was killed when his vehicle flipped following a collision with a bus near Dubbo on Saturday. Picture: TNV

Eight bus passengers were taken to Dubbo Hospital after the crash in a stable condition. Picture: EXCLUSIVE to News Corp

Police have now launched a critical investigation saying patrolling officers activated lights and sirens in an attempt to stop a Mazda sedan on the major highway just after 9am.

They followed the vehicle before terminating the pursuit due to safety concerns.

It’s understood the car veered in front of the bus a short time later, colliding with it and killing the 32-year-old Mazda driver.

The Mitchell Highway, about one kilometre east of the intersection of the Mitchell Highway and Eulomogo Road near Dubbo, remained closed at midday as specialist officers and the Crash Investigation Unit inspected the scene.

The Mitchell Highway near the Eulomogo Road intersection will remain closed for many hours. Picture: TNV

NSW Ambulance Inspector Dean Alchin said crews responded from Narromine, Wellington and Dubbo and rapidly assessed 26 occupants from the bus, resulting in eight being taken to Dubbo Base Hospital all with minor injuries to their limbs, chest and faces.

The patients ranged in age from 12 to 84 years of age.

Inspector Alchin urged motorists to be extra careful, particularly in the school holidays.

“Be vigilant, be assertive on the road being that you may not be the cause of the accident at all, we just want you to arrive safe and well at your destination every time.”

A passenger on the bus said as he looked up the “car definitely appeared to deviate towards” the bus.

“It all happened pretty quickly, I was seated about half way up behind the driver, for some reason just happened to look up approximately a second and a half before impact.

“High praise to the driver, she only had a second to react, it all happened really quickly.”

Police said the vehicle had been involved in a police pursuit prior to the crash which had to be terminated due to safety concerns. Picture: TNV

The man said that at least half of the other passengers “head butted” the seat in front of them.

He said there was a “moderate amount of blood throughout the bus, a lot of panic and screaming as you could imagine”.

“But god, thank the lord that everyone got out safely.

“It all happened really really quickly ... I do recall in that one second window seeing police lights behind the silver car.”

The Crash Investigation Unit and specialist officers inspected the scene on Saturday morning. Picture: TNV

The Mitchell Highway about one kilometre east of the intersection of Eulomogo Road will be closed for several hours.

Police said the Mitchell Highway is expected to be closed for several hours in both directions.

A number of the bus passengers were treated for minor injuries by NSW Ambulance paramedics and eight passengers were taken to Dubbo Base Hospital.

Two other bus passengers, Seth and Abby, said they had cuts and scratches from the frightening “head on with another car”.

“We went from that side of the road to this side and that side ... the driver said the car was swerving so she couldn’t do much,” Seth said.

The bus driver was taken to Dubbo Hospital to undergo mandatory testing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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