One man has died at the scene of a three-vehicle collision between a truck and two cars around 11.20am today at the intersection of Barton Highway and Gungahlin Drive, Detective Acting Superintendent Donna Hofmeier, currently in charge of ACT Policing, has confirmed. The man’s identity is known but his name has not yet been released.
The driver of the second car was briefly trapped in his vehicle and was rescued by ACT Fire & Rescue before being treated and taken to Canberra Hospital in a serious condition by ACT Ambulance Service paramedics.
The truck driver is unharmed but was also taken to Canberra Hospital for mandatory testing.
The Barton Highway was closed in both directions following the collision and was expected to remain closed for several hours while investigations into the cause of the accident continued.
At this stage, police believe the two cars were turning right onto the Barton Highway while the truck driver was driving northbound, and the deceased man was in the car closest to the truck.
ACT Police would like to thank a number of bystanders who stopped to render first aid, including some ACT nurses who drove past the scene and offered help to the drivers. Police extend their sincere condolences to the family of the deceased man.
ACT Police Major Collision team remained on the scene to investigate the circumstances of the crash and Detective Acting Superintendent Hofmeier said there is always a chance the driver ran a red light.
ACT Police were doing lockdown compliance checks around the area at the time of the crash so were very quickly on the scene.
This is the ninth fatality on Canberra roads this year.
“It’s really sad that we’ve had a ninth fatality this year, any fatality is one too many,” Detective Acting Superintendent Hofmeier said.
“Whilst we acknowledge we are in a COVID lockdown at the moment, and there is less traffic on the roads, that is no excuse for members of the public not to obey the traffic laws.”
ACT Policing’s Major Collision Team is examining the circumstances surrounding the collision and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Anyone who witnessed the collision, or who has information about the collision, and who has not yet spoken with police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference 6904853. Information can be provided anonymously.
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