More revealed about what caused Jingili, Dundee fatal crashes

Police have revealed more details about the two fatal road crashes at the weekend as early investigations continue.

MONDAY 1.40PM: POLICE have revealed more details about the two fatal road crashes at the weekend.

On Saturday about 8.50pm police received a report of a single vehicle rollover on Fog Bay Rd near Dundee. A 20-year-old man died at the scene.

Around 9.20pm the same night, police were alerted to a crash between a motorcyclist and vehicle on McMillans Rd, Jingili. The 26-year-old male motorcyclist died at the scene.

Major Crash Investigation Unit Senior Sergeant Corey Borton said in the Fog Bay Rd crash, early investigations indicated the vehicle left the road and lost control.

“The vehicle tripped and rolled being a high centre of gravity vehicle and unfortunately the driver died at the scene,” he said.

Snr Sgt Borton said with the Jingili accident, the motorcycle had collided with the side of a motor vehicle turning into the Jingili cemetery area.

“The motorcyclist was unfortunately riding a dirt bike which didn’t have any lights fitted,” he said.

“And unfortunately he wasn’t wearing a helmet and he died at the scene.”

The Northern Territory’s road toll now sits at 12, after a 65-year-old man involved in an accident on Groote Eylandt in February passed away in hospital on March 11.

Snr Sgt Borton pleaded with drivers to be safe on the roads.

“If you’re a road user in the Northern Territory, be it a pedestrian or a driver of a motor vehicle of any type, just obey the rules,” he said.

“There’s no rush to get to where you want to go.”

UPDATE 5PM, SUNDAY: TWO fatal crashes have prompted calls from locals near the scene of both fatal incidents for infrastructure to make roads safer.

Businesses along the busy stretch of McMillans Rd have voiced their concern about the safety of drivers in the area.

Speed and lack of awareness of the road rules were cited as being the major issues.

Evangeline Zaffra from Vangie’s Kitchen in the Sabine St strip said she had witnessed many accidents and close calls in her 9 years in the area.

“Every week there’s an accident — it’s really risky,” she said.

Ms Zaffra said traffic lights might be a way to mitigate some of the risks.

“People don’t know who goes first I think,” she said.

“It would be better to have traffic lights — that’s what we’re after.”

The site where a Motorcyclist killed overnight after hitting another vehicle, potentially 4wd Picture Julianne Osborne

Emma Kacuna-Rich works at The Lodge of Dundee and said she’s heard from locals and experienced first-hand how dangerous the road can be.

“It’s a nasty road – there’s no lights there, when it rains everything floods and you can’t see anything and all the skippies jump put in front of you.”

“It’s not the safest road,” she said.

She said the fatal crash that happened on Australia Day was within the same 5km stretch.

‘It’s a really dangerous kind of corner.

“Even myself when I drive down to Dundee I get nervous.

Ms Kacuna-Rich said she felt like more could be done to help make that road safer, but things were made difficult with the lack of local council.

“I honestly think we need a big flood light around that corner _ I know it’s remote here but they do have ones that are solar-powered that could work.”

“A lot of people come here from Darwin for the weekend and you can always drive home again.

I personally would not – I do not like to drive at night.

She said they had a petition at the pub to get another of the main road paved.

“It’s a really nice place but the roads are atrocious,” she said.

UPDATE, 2PM SUNDAY: TERRITORIANS have shared their sadness at the sudden deaths of two young men overnight.

A man in his 20s died in a single vehicle accident on Fog Bay Rd near Dundee Beach, while a 26-year-old motorcyclist was killed when he collided with another vehicle on McMillans Road at Jingili.

The site where a Motorcyclist killed overnight after hitting another vehicle, potentially four-wheel drive. Picture: Julianne Osborne

Comments left on social media showed an outpouring of support for the deceased.

“So sad for all involved — may they RIP,” Janelle O’Shannessy said.

“Such sad news for the families and tragic,” Carol Skultety wrote.

St John NT attended both scenes and a spokesperson urged for drivers to be careful on the roads.

“We urge all Territorians to take care on our roads and drive to the conditions,” they said.

“The last thing our crews want to see is another family who have lost a loved one.”

INITIAL, 6AM SUNDAY: TWO people have died in separate fatal crashes across the Top End overnight.

NT Police said at 8.47pm on Saturday they received a report of a single vehicle rollover along Fog Bay Rd, near Dundee.

Police confirmed the man was a 20-year-old.

The man succumbed to his injuries and died at the scene.

The second crash was reported to police at 9.17pm on Saturday.

A motorcyclist collided with a vehicle outbound along McMillans Rd on the intersection of the McMillans Rd Service Rd near Jingili cemetery.

A 26-year-old male died at the scene.

Police and St John Ambulance NT attended.

A section of McMillans Road was closed but opened shortly before 7am this morning.

The entrance to Darwin General Cemetery.

Police markers on the road outlined the extent of the incident, which occurred at the entrance of the Darwin General Cemetery.

A passer-by told the NT News they saw the scene earlier in the morning which looked to have involved a four-wheel-drive.

Police are assessing both incidents and urging motorists to be safe on the roads.

Senior Sergeant Corey Borton said “These are two tragic incidents. Anyone who may have witnessed the incidents is urged to contact police on 131 444.”