Two Vehicles Collided Head-On on the Stuart Highway, Leaving No Survivors… The Latest Witness Accounts Have Made the Tragedy Even More Heartbreaking
Five people have died after a horror head-on crash involving a ute and a van on a remote highway in the Northern Territory.
Emergency services were called after reports two cars collided head-on while driving along the Stuart Highway near the Marrakai Road turn-off, south-east of Darwin, on Wednesday afternoon.
When emergency services arrived, they found both vehicles fully engulfed in flames. There were no survivors.
Police believe a northbound ute caused the collision by crossing onto the wrong side of the road in the moments before the crash.
A 69-year-old woman was the driver and sole occupant of the van.
Inside the ute, a 23-year-old man — the driver — a 36-year-old man, and two women aged 23 and 32, also perished.
“Witnesses have told investigators the utility was travelling at excessive speed and overtaking dangerously in the minutes leading up to the collision,” NT Police Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Schumacher said.
“This is an incredibly tragic incident that has claimed five lives and will have a devastating impact on multiple families and the wider community.”
A section of the highway remains closed as Major Crash detectives investigate the circumstances of the devastating collision.
“Due to the severity of the crash, which appears to have been a high-speed head-on collision, both vehicles caught fire, making this an extremely complex investigation,” Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Schumacher said.
Traffic diversions remain in place. Heavy vehicles are unable to pass through the area while light vehicles are being offered a detour.
Motorists are urged to avoid the area or expect significant delays if passing through.
SOURCE: 7 NEWS
https://7news.com.au/news/four-people-killed-in-two-car-head-on-crash-on-the-stuart-highway-northern-territory-c-22682236
