Northern Territory Police are warning drivers to slow down and drive to conditions after four serious accidents overnight.
Superintendent Peter Gordon from the Central Desert Division said five people were airlifted to Adelaide Hospital, one with life threatening injuries, after the crashes, three in Central Australia and one on the Barkly.
“A campervan with five people onboard rolled on the Lasseter Highway, 52 kilometres east of Curtin Springs, at around 2pm yesterday afternoon,” Superintendent Gordon said.
“The tourists, two men and three women, all in their early 20s, were travelling north when their Toyota Hiace rolled.
“Four people were medivaced to the Alice Springs Hospital, with two 24-year-old men this morning airlifted to Adelaide in a serious condition. The 24-year-old male driver was unharmed.”
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In a separate crash, two people suffered serious injuries when the Jeep they were travelling in blew a tyre and rolled at about 6.20pm yesterday, Superintendent Gordon said.
“The two, both 18-year-old women, were medivaced to Adelaide this afternoon,” he said.
“The Jeep was travelling north when the crash occurred, around nine kilometres past Erldunda on the Stuart Highway.
“A truck driver witnessed the crash and offered assistance to the five occupants, three 18-year-old women, a 26-year-old woman and the 21-year-old male driver.
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Meanwhile a 22-year-old man was flown to Adelaide Hospital this afternoon following a single vehicle rollover at 1am on the Barkly Highway
Superintendent Craig Barrett said the man was travelling towards Queensland, approximately 110km east of the three ways junction, when the crash occurred.
“Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, however at this stage it seems the driver lost control of the Toyota Hilux causing it to roll,” Superintendent Barrett said.
“Police, Fire and Rescue and Ambulance officers attended the scene after it was called through by another road user.
“The two dogs that were travelling in the vehicle were uninjured.”
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A 41-year-old man received minor injuries when his Toyota Landcruiser struck a camel at 9.45pm on the Lasseter Highway, 17km east of Yulara.
Superintendent Gordon said the vehicle was extensively damaged in the crash after the camel had impacted the windscreen and right hand side of the car.
“Three other occupants of the vehicle, a woman and two babies, were uninjured,” Superintendent Gordon said.
"The driver in this case is testament to safe driving practices.
“All passengers were correctly restrained; speed and alcohol were not a factor.
“We have in the past seen people less prepared die from this type of incident.
"We are coming up to our busiest time on Northern Territory roads and these incidents highlight the need for drivers to be aware of how fast conditions can change on our roads.
"Drivers unfamiliar to the long distances need to break their trip up into manageable pieces, ensure your vehicle is roadworthy, wear seatbelts and drive to arrive."
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