By Dominique Tassell
Police are investigating following a fatal traffic crash at a Stanthorpe intersection yesterday afternoon.
The collision occurred at about 4 pm, between a car turning north onto the New England Highway and a 4WD travelling south along the New England Highway.
They reported that emergency crews were unable to revive a 60-year-old Stanthorpe man, the driver of the car, who passed away at the scene and was declared deceased at the hospital.
The only passenger of the car, a 57-year-old Stanthorpe man, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the 4WD, an 83-year-old Lawrence man, and his 59-year-old passenger were both treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.
Queensland Ambulance Services (QAS) stated that they transported three patients to Stanthorpe hospital following the two-vehicle crash.
They transported an adult male in a critical condition, and a male in his 80s and a male in his 50s who were both in a stable condition.
QAS stated the crash occurred when the car turned off High Street onto the New England Highway at 3:58 pm.
Stanthorpe police officer-in-charge Gerard Brady said that for a short time the New England Highway was reduced to one lane.
He stated that the Toowoomba Forensic Crash Unit attended the scene and carried out an investigation.
“The preliminary information indicates the driver of the car has driven out in front of an oncoming vehicle,” Sergeant Brady said.
That vehicle, the 4WD, subsequently collided with the car.
Sergeant Brady said he is not aware of any obstruction preventing the locals from seeing the oncoming car.
He said that will form part of the investigation.
This is the second fatal crash on the New England Highway in the Granite Belt this year after four Korean backpackers died in an accident at a different intersection of the highway.
They too pulled out in front of oncoming traffic.
Regarding the High Street intersection, Sergeant Brady said “it’s certainly an intersection that requires you to exert an extra level of vigilance”.
“I would implore people using that intersection to take that extra second to stop and look both ways,” he said. “Make sure it’s absolutely clear.”
