Emotional plea for ‘great dad’ killed in double fatal crash north of Lithgow

The second man killed in a horrific five-car crash in NSW been identified as someone who was passionate about road safety.

The devastated family of one of the victims of a horror five-car crash in the NSW Central Tablelands have issued a heart-breaking tribute to a “loving and devoted father”.

David Drozd, 42, died when his Kia was hit in the Great Western Hwy crash on Friday, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Mr Drozd’s lengthy career as a traffic engineer saw him working at Penrith City Council for 15 years before starting his own traffic consultancy company.

It is understood he was travelling with his wife and five of his nine children when his car was involved in the fatal crash.

David Drozd was killed in the five vehicle crash on the Great Western Highway on Friday. Picture: GoFundMe

In a statement, Mr Drozd’s family said he was a “devoted Christian and leader in his church, and a loving and devoted father”, Nine News reported.

Jason McMahon, 42, also died after his Isuzu D-max collided head on with Mr Drozd’s Kia Carnival along the Great Western Hwy, about 15km north of Lithgow, on Friday.

It is understood Mr McMahon was returning to his home in western Sydney following a trip to regional NSW.

Mr McMahon’s 19-year-old son told Nine News he had lost the man he “always wanted to become”.

“He was the sort of person to just drop everything to go help someone … I’m going to miss my dad every minute,”he said.

Both men died after the Isuzu, towing a motorcycle trailer, collided with a Toyota HiLux heading westbound before crashing into the Mr Drozd’s Kia.

Mr Drozd’s wife and four children, aged between five and 15, were also travelling in the Kia on Friday and were each taken to hospital after the crash.

Police said the Toyota struck a Hyundai Tuscan, following the collision with the Isuzu, sending the vehicle off the road and trapping the occupants inside.

A Nissan Patrol carrying four people and towing a caravan was also heading eastbound, travelling just behind the Isuzu, when it struck the attached motorcycle trailer.

Two men have been confirmed dead and a child is fighting for life. Picture: Seven News

Emergency services rushed to the incident after reports came in at about 12.50pm, but they were unable to reviveMr McMahon or the Kia driver.

Six passengers in the Kia, including five children aged between five and 15, and a 41-year-old woman, all suffered varying degrees of injuries.

After being treated by paramedics, they were taken to Westmead and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

It has been reported one of the children, a nine-year-old girl, remains in a critical but stable condition, while the other four are stable and the woman has been released.

David Drozd was driving his Kia when another car collided with his vehicle. Picture: Supplied

A GoFundMe page was set up on Friday for Mr Drozd’s family to “assist his family in this very difficult time”.

A different GoFundMe page has also been set up to help support the McMahon family, including covering the costs of Mr McMahon’s funeral.

The post said the 42-year-old was a “big role model” in the life of his family.

“Jason McMahon was involved in a fatal car crash that involved him losing his life. His family have lost a son, a dad, a fiance and more,” the post read.

Jason McMahon stands near his motorcycles in a photo shared to a GoFundMe post. Photo: GoFundMe

Jason McMahon died in the crash. Photo: Supplied

Money raised will go to Mr McMahon’s fiance and the rest of his family to help with funeral costs and to help them “get by”.

“Please, with the good in your hearts, can you help this beautiful family,” the post read.

Tributes continue to be shared on social media, with one man calling Mr McMahon an “amazing person” who will be “missed by everyone” in a Facebook post.

“RIP Jason, you were an amazing person and will always be missed by everyone, definitely going to miss our rides together and all the memories,” the post read.

Another tribute shared to Facebook read: “RIP Jason, you were a great man.”

A friend said Mr McMahon always “put other first” and was “living his best life”, adding that the 42-year-old had a passion for trail biking.

“RIP Jason McMahon, you will never be forgotten. A great mate, a great dad, you couldn’t do any more for your children and you always put others first, you were living your best life,” the post read.

More than 20 people were injured in the horror crash.

One of those severely injured in the chaos, the 55-year-old man driving the Hyundai, suffered multiple fractures and was promptly flown to John Hunter Hospital.

Five cars were involved in the horror collision which saw more than 20 people injured. Picture: Facebook

Wreckage of the Nissan Patrol after hitting the Isuzu D-max’s motorcycle trailer. Picture: Seven News

His two passengers were hospitalised but are now in a stable condition.

Four people in the Toyota and the four people inside the Nissan were assessed by paramedics, with the two drivers, aged 39 and 42, taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit are examining the scene and are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led up to the crash.

The 55-year-old Hyundai driver was treated for multiple fractures and flown to John Hunter Hospital. Picture: Seven News

A report is being prepared for the coroner.

Blue Mountains mayor Mark Greenhill urged drivers to “be careful out there”.

“At this time of year, and in tourist areas like ours, there can be some frustration on the roads with sporadic traffic and people not necessarily knowing where they are going,” he said.

“Please observe the speed limit and take it easy.

“We want people home and safe at the end of the summer break.”

Police were able to confirm the events on Saturday after NSW Police Detective Superintendent Paul Glinn indicated one of the vehicles may have veered into oncoming traffic.

“It would appear that a vehicle has crossed to the incorrect side of the road, but as to the actual circumstances, as to what led up to that event and the collision that occurred and what flowed thereafter, [that] will be determined in coming days,” Detective Superintendent Glinn told media on Friday.

Messaging following the incident is urging drivers to slow down with so many people out on holiday and travelling on roads across the state.

This year, 349 people have lost their lives on NSW roads, which is 70 more than last year.