A 55-year-old truck driver has been charged with multiple driving offences following a three-vehicle crash on the Hume Highway near Mittagong on the NSW Southern Highlands yesterday.
Traffic was diverted via Mittagong after a serious three-vehicle crash blocked all southbound lanes on the Hume Highway yesterday, Monday 18 March, NSW Police reported.
NSW Police Officers from The Hume Police District had closed one southbound lane at Braemar, north of Mittagong, about 11.15am on Monday while a two-vehicle crash was being cleared. There were no injuries.
About 45 minutes later, while police were still diverting traffic from the blocked lane, a second crash occurred involving a heavy vehicle and a hatchback. The hatchback was then forced into the rear of a station-wagon.
A front-seat passenger in the hatchback, a 69-year-old woman from Cootamundra, was trapped within the wreckage for some time before being released and airlifted to Liverpool Hospital. She is reported to be suffering multiple injuries including fractures.
The man driving the hatchback, also aged 69 and also from Cootamundra, was taken to Liverpool Hospital by road ambulance to be treated for cuts, as well as undergoing mandatory testing.
A couple travelling in the station-wagon, both aged 68, were not injured but the male driver also underwent mandatory testing.
The driver of the truck, a 55-year-old man, was not injured; he was arrested and taken to Bowral Hospital for mandatory testing before being taken to Southern Highlands Police Station.
Officers attached to the Crash Investigation Unit established a crime scene and launched an investigation into the incident.
The truck driver was charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, cause bodily harm by misconduct in charge of motor vehicle and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.
He was granted conditional bail to appear before Moss Vale Local Court on Tuesday 16 April 2024.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. NSW Police reminds the public not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
Get local, national and world news, plus sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily newsletter. Sign up here.
