29 September 2020

Country crash a reminder to take care on gravel roads

| Edwina Mason
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Police and emergency services at scene of car accident near Young.

This morning’s single-vehicle accident occurred on a gravel road west of Young, near Thuddungra. The 28-year-old driver was flown to Canberra Hospital. Photo: Edwina Mason.

An accident on a country road in the South West Slopes today has NSW Police reminding drivers travelling on gravel roads to take extra care.

At about 7.20 am, a 28-year-old Thuddungra woman was travelling north on Ashville School Road, near Thuddungra, west of Young, when the silver Holden vehicle she was driving left the road and collided with a tree.

Emergency services were called to the accident and the woman, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was treated by paramedics and a doctor.

Emergency services workers preparing to airlift woman near Young.

A woman was airlifted from of a nearby paddock after her car left a gravel road and hit a tree west of Young on 29 September. Photo: Edwina Mason.

She is understood to have sustained a fractured femur, and was stabilised and flown by Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter Service to Canberra Hospital for further treatment.

The officer in command of Young Police Station, Inspector Jacob Reeves, said police were unable to determine the exact cause of the accident.

“It is a dirt and gravel road, and we have no information as to what led to the accident until we are able to speak with her,” he said.

However, Inspector Reeves said the accident serves as a general reminder to people travelling on country roads that they should be mindful of the conditions and drive accordingly.

“When you have recent rain, the weather conditions can change the surface of the road from what people are normally used to, and if there is any washout, it’s just a matter of driving to the conditions until the local council or Roads and Maritime Services can get out there to do an assessment of the roads,” he said.

Inspector Reeves said country residents who notice their local roads have been affected by weather should always notify the council.

The accident on 29 September was attended by Young Fire and Rescue, Young Police, Young Ambulance, Grenfell SES and Thuddungra Bush Fire Brigade.

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