“Utterly devastating”: Traffic chaos after man dies in three-car smash near Sydney airport
A man has been killed after two cars and a truck collided in Sydney’s Airport Tunnel, triggering major traffic delays.
A man has died following a three-car smash in Sydney’s Airport Tunnel in Mascot this morning, triggering major southbound traffic delays.
Emergency crews were called to General Holmes Dr just before 7am following reports two cars - a blue Toyota Yaris and a Kia Sportage - and a truck had collided on the southbound lane just before the M5 turn-off.
Police were told the Toyota was travelling north and the truck was travelling south when they collided in the southbound lanes.
The Kia – also travelling north – was then hit.
When NSW Ambulance arrived they were unable to pull the man from his Toyota. The 32-year-old driver died at the scene.
A 38-year-old woman who was driving the Kia suffered minor injuries and was taken to St George Hospital for observation.
The truck driver, also a man aged 32, was taken for mandatory blood and urine testing.
A crime scene has been established, with the Crash Investigation Unit conducting inquiries.
A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.
Duty operations manager inspector John Brotherhood described the incident as “utterly devastating”.
“Responding to these sorts of scenes are quite disturbing. As a first responder, you are often confronted with a lot of atrocities and trauma,” he said.
“Our hearts go out to all the families involved.”
MASCOT: Traffic remains very heavy in both directions on General Holmes Dr due to a fatal crash in the airport tunnel. 2 of 3 southbound lanes are closed. Northbound tidal flow lane is also closed. Southbound motorists on Sth Cross Drive should consider exiting at Mill Pond Dr. pic.twitter.com/44HDuVNKLe
— Live Traffic Sydney (@LiveTrafficSyd) August 20, 2020
A crime scene has been established and the Crash Investigation Unit has launched an inquiry.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Two of the three southbound lanes were closed in the Airport Tunnel, as well as one of the five northbound lanes.
Traffic banked up in both directions and drivers were urged to allow plenty of time or to avoid the area.
Live Traffic NSW has since confirmed all lanes in both directions have reopened on General Holmes Dr.
In a separate incident a male motorcyclist, in his 20s, was tragically killed when he collided with a car on the corner of Progress Circuit and Lyn Parade in Prestons.
Mr Brotherhood said paramedics did everything they could to save the lives of those involved across both jobs.
“Everything we do is about being there for people, we train to make sure we provide all the life saving measures we can and it is tough when you are faced with outcomes like today,” he said.
“We are urging those using our roads to please drive carefully – a split second decision can change not only your life but the lives of your passengers and other road users forever.”
He also encouraged the people of NSW To learn basic CPR.
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