Couple Killed
A COUPLE have been killed after their car slammed into a semi-trailer north of Tamworth in what has become a horror week on local roads.
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The man and woman, believed to be aged in their sixties, were killed almost instantly in the collision on the New England Highway, about 20km north of Bendemeer, on Wednesday afternoon.
Investigators were still at the scene on Wednesday night trying to piece together why the Holden Vectra hit the truck, shortly after 1pm.
Police said the woman was behind the wheel of the sedan when it crashed into the truck, which was stationary at the roadworks.
The truck driver, a 40-year-old man, was not injured, police said, but was taken to Armidale hospital for mandatory blood and urine tests.
Police are still calling for witnesses who might have seen the Holden prior to the crash to contact them, as they prepare a report for the coroner.
The crash takes the Tamworth road toll to three for the week, after 19-year-old Shonae McCabe was killed when her car slammed into a tree near Duri, on Sunday morning.
Highway patrol Inspector Phil Brooks said the road toll was at 144 before the double fatal, which he labelled “a tragedy”.
“The numbers are tragic,” he told The Leader.
“With the road toll at 144, which is five more than this time last year … it’s quite obvious road users are becoming complacent, which is costing lives.
Speeding, drink or drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, driving while fatigues … is what is costing lives on country roads.
- Inspector Phil Brooks
“Speeding, drink or drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, driving while fatigued … is what is costing lives on country roads.”
The road remained shut on Wednesday night, with diversions via the Oxley Highway at Bendemeer and Uralla.
Highway closed
The New England Highway is closed between Tamworth and Armidale after a fatal crash on Wednesday afternoon.
Police confirmed to Fairfax Media two people had died after a crash between a car and a semi-trailer.
The accident reportedly happened near roadworks, 20km north of Bendemeer.
Emergency services are on scene and the road is closed in both directions.
Motorists heading towards Armidale are being diverted onto the Oxley Highway at Bendemeer, then onto Thunderbolts Way at Walcha to rejoin the New England Highway at Uralla.
Motorists heading towards Tamworth are being diverted onto Thunderbolts Way at Uralla, then onto the Oxley Highway at Walcha to rejoin the New England Highway at Bendemeer.
This diversion will add around 40 minutes to the trip, and is suitable for all vehicles.
More to come.
