After a two-car collision early today in rural New South Wales, four people were dead, and another is in critical condition, the Easter holiday break took a tragic turn.
At 6.45am, reports of a collision in heavy rain on the Barton Highway at Casuarina Lane in Jeir, about 30 kilometers southeast of Yass and just north of the ACT, prompted a call to police.
When both vehicles were traveling down the road, officers discovered a Ford Ranger utility and a Mitsubishi Triton utility had collided. Some persons had to be extracted from the debris due to the severity of the collision.
Both the male and female drivers of the Mitsubishi and the male and female passengers of the Ford passed away at the site.
They are not properly known by name.
A second man passenger in the Ford had a significant injury and was rushed to Canberra Hospital.
We don’t yet know how old they are.
In both directions, the Barton Highway is currently closed and is anticipated to stay closed for the majority of the day.
To join the Federal Highway, southbound traffic on the Barton Highway is being detoured through Sutton Road and Murrumbateman Road.
The Barton Highway is being used as a detour back to Canberra, and northbound traffic should use the Federal Highway instead.
All cars can safely use these detours.
Drivers should leave lots of extra time and adhere to the traffic and emergency response officials’ instructions.
The timing of the highway’s reopening is unknown.
Inquiries by the police have started.
