The Territory road toll climbed to 43 this morning following a fatal crash between a taxi and a cement truck on Tiger Brennan Drive.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant John Worrall of the Major Crash Investigation Section said the two vehicle crash occurred at around 8:30am.

“The exact circumstances surrounding the crash are to be investigated, however at this stage, it appears the taxi driver was travelling outbound on the flyover and attempted to conduct a u-turn when it collided with a cement truck,” Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Worrall said.

“The taxi was dragged approximately 60 metres before the truck rolled on top of it.

“Police, Fire and Rescue and St John Ambulance Officers attended the scene however all three occupants in the taxi, the 57-year-old male driver and two passengers, a 71-year-old male and 50-year-old female were declared deceased within a short time.

“The 68-year-old male truck driver was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital as a precaution and has since been released.

“Tiger Brennan is currently blocked and traffic diversions will remain in place for a number of hours. Police urge all road users to use the Stuart Highway and avoid the area if possible.”

The road toll for the same time last year stood at 33.