A 42-year-old man was among three people who died in a 'horrific' vehicle crash in south Sydney shortly after police attempted to carry out a welfare check. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning, according to New South Wales police.
Details of the Incident
Police officers were called to a property in Gymea Bay, southern Sydney, at 12:25 am on Saturday. Upon arrival, a 42-year-old man drove away in a white Audi. Shortly thereafter, reports emerged that the Audi had rolled over a concrete barrier and landed on a blue Toyota sedan in Sans Souci, approximately 7 kilometres away.
The man died at the scene, along with the driver and passenger of the Toyota, who have yet to be formally identified. Superintendent Graham Hibbs stated that police had been called for a welfare check related to a mental health incident before the crash.
Police Statement
“All I can really say at this stage is we were called for a concern for welfare, a mental health incident,” Hibbs said. “And that’s all the detail I can provide.” Police were unable to speak with the man before he fled. Officers believe the Audi was travelling at “considerable speed” when the crash occurred.
“It was a horrific scene. We really feel for the families of all three persons and their loved ones,” Hibbs added, noting that there were few cars on the road at the time. Between 20 and 40 bystanders attempted to assist when one of the vehicles caught fire.
Investigation Ongoing
A crime scene has been established, and investigations are continuing into the circumstances of the crash, with drugs and alcohol being considered as factors. The incident marks a deadly 24 hours on Australian roads, following a separate two-car crash in Queensland that killed a 25-year-old woman and an infant. In another Queensland crash, two girls aged 13 and 14 suffered serious injuries after being hit by a car while on a footpath in South Mackay.
