Media release

Rollover – Maningrida

Police

Two women were medivaced to Royal Darwin Hospital after they were injured when their vehicle rolled near Maningrida yesterday.

Police received a report just before 4.30pm that a Nissan Patrol had rolled 11 kilometres from Maningrida.

Police said the 47-year-old driver of the vehicle appears to have lost control of the vehicle on the heavily corrugated road. The vehicle rolled after the driver over-corrected and the 26-year-old passenger was thrown from the vehicle through the side window.

Neither person was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident.

Police, NTES volunteers and Maningrida Health Clinic staff attended. Both passengers were conveyed to the Maningrida Clinic and were then medivaced to Darwin where they are being treated for suspected spinal injuries. The passenger of the vehicle is also being treated for a broken wrist and broken collarbone while the driver also sustained internal injuries.

B/Sgt Matthew Ridolfi said the accident was a timely reminder of the consequences of not wearing seatbelts.

"Minor accidents can become severe just because someone is not wearing a seatbelt," B/Sgt Ridolfi said.

"Seatbelts aren't put in cars so that Police can give out tickets when people aren't wearing them. They are there to save lives and reduce injuries. I just wish people would wake up and start wearing them. A two-second task of putting on your seatbelt could save your life. I know it is the same old message but I just wish people would listen to it and learn."

Media contact:
Theresa Kuilboer
8922 3531