Police were called to several crashes in the Riverina over the weekend, two of them fatalities. Photo: File.
A motorcyclist and a woman have died in two separate incidents on Riverina roads amid a slew of crashes that had emergency services crews scrambling for most of the weekend.
An emergency operation continued throughout Saturday on Alpine Way in the western foothills of the Snowy Mountains, following the first fatal crash on Saturday morning.
Emergency services were called to Scammels Gap Lookout, 20 kilometres north of Khancoban, around 10:15 am, after reports an SUV and multiple motorcycles had collided.
Officers from Riverina Police District arrived and found one motorcyclist – believed to be in his 50s – had died at the scene, with two others seriously injured.
The female driver of the SUV and the injured riders were airlifted to Canberra Hospital, with injuries not considered to be life-threatening.
Police and NSW Farmers have urged motorists to be patient on rural roads as harvest continues into the Christmas period. Photo: Supplied.
The Alpine Way remained closed as Crash Investigation Unit (CUI) officers travelled to the scene for investigation.
A woman has also died following a single-vehicle crash near Hillston, on Saturday night.
Emergency services were called to Kidman Way around 6:20 pm – 25 kilometres from Hillston – and found a Toyota Camry crashed into a tree.
Three people were released from the vehicle then treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
The rear-seat passenger, a 36-year-old woman, was taken to Griffith Base Hospital with critical injuries and died a short time later.
The driver, a 24-year-old man, was taken to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital in a stable condition, while the front-seat passenger, a 37-year-old man, was uninjured.
Officers attached to the CIU attended the scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
As inquiries continue, police are appealing for anyone with information or dashcam vision relating to both fatalities to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Reports will be prepared for the information for the NSW Coroner.
Meanwhile, northbound lanes on the Hume Highway were closed on Saturday due to a collision between a car and truck at Tumbarumba Road.
Police have issued stern warnings to drivers to be especially careful on the roads in the lead-up to the Christmas period.
NSW Farmers has also urged people heading into country areas for Christmas to keep an eye out for harvest machinery.
NSW Farmers Grains Committee Chair Justin Everitt said flooding and heavy rain had delayed harvest efforts across much of the state, leading to more activity on and around farms and roads at the end of the year
“There’s a lot of large agricultural vehicles moving on country roads at the moment, and we’d hate to see a joyous time of the year turn to tragedy for any family,” he said.
While getting stuck behind a slow-moving header, tractor or fully laden truck can be frustrating, Mr Everitt said, showing patience and keeping a safe distance was important for everyone’s safety.
“Remember if the driver of the can’t see you, then they don’t know you’re there – so stay back at a safe distance and don’t be impatient,” Mr Everitt said.
“It’s better to be a little late than not to arrive at all.
“We’ve just about made it through a pretty rough year, let’s all work together to get to the finish line safely.”
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