Robin Hill: Darren Crimston dies after two-vehicle crash on Mid Western Highway

A respected prison guard has died following a two-vehicle crash at an intersection on the outskirts of Bathurst, barely a year after the tragic death of his wife and fellow Corrective Services officer.

A man died after a crash at the intersection of McLennan Dr and Mid Western Hwy at Robin Hill on December 10, 2025. Picture: Google Maps.

A respected prison guard has died following a two-vehicle crash at an intersection on the outskirts of Bathurst, barely a year since the tragic loss of his wife and fellow Corrective Services officer to cancer.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Mid Western Highway and McLennan Close, Robin Hill, about 3.10pm on Wednesday following reports of a crash.

Officers attached to Chifley Police District, Highway Patrol Macquarie Sector, and Police Rescue attended and found a truck and a ute had collided.

Corrective Services officer Darren Crimston, 55, was treated by paramedics but tragically died at the scene.

It was only November last year when his wife Michelle, also a senior Corrective Services officer, lost her battle with cancer aged 48.

The late husband and wife and former Corrective Services officers Darren and Michelle Crimston. Picture: Corrective Services NSW

In a devastating twist, Mr Crimston had only just led the Corrective Services NSW annual Rememberance Ride, in which more than 300 riders travelled from the Corrective Services Academy in Eastwood to Goulburn Correctional Centre in honour of CSNSW employees who have lost their lives.

A story about the recent ride on the Corrective Services NSW website now has a note acknowledging it was published before Mr Crimston also died, and expressing CSNSW’s condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

Mr and Mrs Crimston met at Bathurst Correctional Centre in 2007, and married in 2012, blending their children from prior relationships to become a family of seven.

“I don’t think it was love at first sight. Actually, she said I was quite rude when I met her but I don’t remember that,” Mr Crimston said.

Mr Crimston recalled leaving Post-It notes on the kitchen counter for each other, or waving to each other as they passed on opposing shifts at prisons across NSW, including Hunter Correctional Centre.

Mr and Mrs Crimston are survived by five children and three grandchildren.

Australian criminal justice social network The Last Governor shared the tragic news about Mr Crimston, who had worked at Hunter Correctional Centre as well as Long Bay, Bathurst, and Kirkconnell.

Tributes have since flowed for the highly respected guard.

“RIP Darren, you will be sadly missed, thank you for everything you taught me. Condolences to his family,” one commenter wrote.

“RIP Darren. Reunited with your love,” another added.

Other tributes referred to Mr Crimston as a “true gentleman”, a “champion”, a “wonderful officer”, and “the kindest soul”.

As a result of the crash, the truck caught fire, which spread to surrounding paddocks.

NSW Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW attended and were able to extinguish the blaze.

The driver of the truck – a 52-year-old man – was uninjured in the crash and was taken to Bathurst Hospital for mandatory testing.

Police declared a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances of the crash.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Originally published as Robin Hill: Darren Crimston dies after two-vehicle crash on Mid Western Highway