Media release

Three vehicle collision –Ti Tree

Police

A driver had an incredibly lucky escape after his vehicle was pushed into the path of a road train near Ti Tree yesterday.

Police received a report just before 8am that three vehicles had been involved in a collision on the Stuart Highway 48 kilometres south of Ti Tree. Police, NTES and ambulance crews from Ti Tree attended the scene.

When they arrived they found a Holden Commodore had been extensively damaged after a steel frame on a wide-load vehicle sliced the top off the car.

The 32-year-old driver told police he was driving south when he slowed down for an approaching road train carrying a wide load. It appears the driver of a Mazda sedan behind him failed to notice that he was reducing speed and collided into the rear of the Holden sending it spinning into the path of the road train. The impact caused the driver's seat to collapse throwing him into a horizontal position as the steel frame sliced the roof off the Holden. The driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to Alice Springs Hospital where he was examined and allowed to leave.

The 77-year-old male driver of the Mazda and his 69-year-old wife also suffered minor injuries in the collision and were also treated at Alice Springs Hospital and allowed to leave. The Mazda driver will be summonsed for driving without due care.

Superintendent Bruce Porter said the incident was a timely reminder to all drivers to stay alert and drive to the traffic conditions.

"It's incredibly hard to believe how lucky everyone involved in this crash was. Something as simple as not paying attention to the traffic ahead of you could have had disastrous results in this case. Motorists have to remember to expect the unexpected on Territory roads and this is a case in point."

NB: Photos attached courtesy of NT Police

Media Contact:
Theresa Kuilboer
8951 8825
0419 803 603