The Northern Territory Easter road toll stands at two following a double fatality in Alice Springs overnight.
At approximately 11pm last night, Saturday 7 April 2012, an Alice Springs Police patrol observed a vehicle entering the Gregory Terrace/Bath Street roundabout in the wrong direction.
Police activated their emergency lights to stop the vehicle, and believed the driver was about to comply. However, the driver chose not to, evading the direction of Police and continued to drive on.
At the Stott Terrace/Leichardt Terrace roundabout, the driver has fled the Police vehicle at a dangerous speed at which point the Police ceased to follow the vehicle. This decision was made in accordance with Police policy in order to minimise further risk to the fleeing driver, their vehicles occupants, other road users and the Police themselves.
Approximately 4 minutes later, the Triple Zero call centre received a call regarding a serious motor vehicle crash on South Terrace with the vehicle was reported to be in flames.
Upon Police arrival at the scene, the same vehicle that had evaded the direction of Police and fled at dangerous speed had crashed into a power pole on the opposite side of the road, tearing the power pole from the ground and ejecting a passenger.
Both the male driver and the female passenger who was ejected from the vehicle were confirmed deceased at the scene.
Police used their fire extinguisher to attempt to extinguish flames in order to rescue another female passenger who was trapped in the vehicle prior to the Fire and Rescue Service also arriving at the scene.
This female passenger, another female passenger and a young child who is believed to have crawled from the burning wreckage, have been conveyed by St John Ambulance to Alice Springs Hospital with varying injuries.
There were 5 persons in the vehicle in total.
The identities of the deceased male and female are yet to be formally confirmed however preliminary enquiries indicate the vehicles occupants are all from a remote community, the driver being a 27-year-old male who is disqualified from driving.
The crash is subject to a Major Crash Investigation on behalf of the Coroner and will be investigated as deaths in Police Custody.
Northern Territory Police Commissioner, John McRoberts said these deaths could have been avoided if the driver of the vehicle had followed the initial direction of the Police,
“My condolences go to the family and friends of those killed in this crash; a crash which could have been avoided had the driver followed the initial direction of Police.
“The safety of the public and all road users is a primary concern for Northern Territory Police. The Police requested this vehicle to stop after it was observed entering a roundabout driving in the wrong direction.
“Instead, the driver chose to flee, placing himself, his passengers including a small child, other road users and Police Officers at unnecessary risk, resulting in the loss of his own, and a female passenger’s life.
“Evading the direction of Police and fleeing through public streets is criminal behaviour.
“The Police Officers acted appropriately in attempting to stop the vehicle initially before ceasing to follow the vehicle once the fleeing driver sped off at a dangerous speed.
“Police, Fire, St John Ambulance and Power and Water officials were called to a traumatic, double fatal crash scene where a passenger had to be rescued from a flaming vehicle while the power pole posed further safety risks to all those in attendance.
“This crash and tragic loss of life will now be subject to a thorough investigation on behalf of the Coroner.” Commissioner McRoberts said.
Police are calling for any witnesses who may have seen this silver Holden commodore sedan with 4 adult occupants and one child, driving around the Alice Springs town centre in the lead up to this crash, between 10.30 and 11pm last night to contact them on 131 444.
The 2012 road toll now stands at eight compared to two for the same time period last year.
Editors note: the name of the remote community where the deceased and surviving passengers are believed to be residents of will not be named until identities have been confirmed and next of kin notified.
Media Contact
Katie Fowden
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