Police charge man after woman and child die in crash in Northern Tablelands

A man has been charged over the death of a woman and four-year-old girl in a crash in the state’s Northern Tablelands at the weekend.

Emergency services were called to Thunderbolts Way, Nowendoc, following reports of a collision between a sedan and a four-wheel-drive pulling a campervan, about 12.20pm on Saturday (26 September 2020).

Police will allege the 42-year-old man veered onto the wrong side of the road before crashing the four-wheel-drive into the sedan.

The sedan driver and sole occupant, a 72-year-old woman, died at the scene.

A four-year-old girl, who was a passenger in the four-wheel-drive, was treated on scene for critical injuries before being airlifted to John Hunter Hospital, where she died a short time later.

The man was treated on scene for minor injuries before being taken to the same hospital for mandatory testing.

His other passengers, a 34-year-old woman, two boys (aged nine and 12) and a two-year-old girl were also taken to hospital, where they were treated for fractures, abrasions and stomach injuries.

Officers from the Crash Investigation Unit commenced an investigation.

Following inquiries, the man attended Newcastle Police Station, where he was arrested and charged with nine offences including:

  • Two counts of dangerous driving occasioning death
  • Dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm
  • Negligent driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm
  • Four counts of cause bodily harm by misconduct in charge of motor vehicle
  • Not keep left of dividing line.

He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear before Tamworth Local Court on Monday 19 October 2020.

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