Police say a car driver, who hasn’t been identified, died at the scene. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
A man has died in a horror crash that has closed a major highway and sparked a grassfire in southern NSW.
A NSW Police spokesperson said that shortly before 2 pm today (Friday, 7 November), emergency services were called to the Monaro Highway at Bunyan, north of Cooma, following reports of a crash.
Officers attached to the Monaro Police District found that a truck and a car had collided, causing the truck, which was carrying hay, to catch fire.
The driver of the car was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics but they died at the scene.
The male truck driver was also treated at the scene for minor injuries.
He has been taken to Cooma Base Hospital for mandatory testing.
Fire and Rescue NSW officers are on scene working to extinguish the truck fire, while NSW Rural Fire Service officers are fighting a grassfire.
As of 5 pm, the Fires Near Me map from NSW RFS lists the 115-hectare fire as being at ‘Advice’ level.
According to LiveTraffic NSW, the Monaro Highway is currently closed in both directions.
“Ongoing police investigations are expected to take some time,” the website states.
Motorists are urged to avoid the area and allow extra travel time for their journey.
The crash occurred at Bunyan, about 17 kilometres north of Cooma in the NSW Snowy Mountains. Image: LiveTraffic NSW/Screenshot.
There are a series of alternative routes suggested for light vehicles (heavy vehicles are being parked).
People travelling southbound can use Old Cooma Road, Ellerton Drive, Kings Highway, Princes Highway, Snowy Mountains Highway and Monaro Highway.
Northbound motorists can use Snowy Mountains Highway, Princes Highway, Kings Highway, Canberra Avenue (for northbound) or Ellerton Drive and Old Cooma Road.
“Unless specified otherwise, operators of Class 1,2 & 3 vehicles travelling under a Notice must consult their relevant enforceable network map to confirm a suitable approved alternative route.
“Operators of Class 1, 2 & 3 vehicles travelling under a Permit must not travel off the approved route listed in the permit unless an updated permit is obtained from the NHVR [National Heavy Vehicle Regulator].”
An investigation into the cause of the crash has commenced. A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Up-to-date information on road closures can be found on the LiveTraffic NSW website.
Original Article published by Claire Sams on About Regional.
