A WOMAN has been killed and another driver has a broken leg after a second deadly crash in just four days on the New England Highway, north of Tamworth.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A Tamworth family was torn apart on Thursday morning when the 44-year-old woman died after her Suzuki Swift and a Volkswagon SUV collided just before 7.30am.
Despite desperate attempts to help the woman, she died at the scene.
The crash occurred at Bendemeer near Rocky Gully, and sent police, ambulance paramedics and other emergency services such as the RFS and RMS scrambling to get to the scene.
The 64-year-old man suffered a fractured leg and pelvic injuries in the crash.
Police said the woman was headed north, and the man south, and the cars collided head-on in the northbound lane. Investigators are now appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.
READ ALSO:
The man was taken by road ambulance to Tamworth hospital in a serious condition but stable condition.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was also tasked from Tamworth, but the crew was later sent back to base. On Thursday afternoon, the crew was re-tasked to collect the man and airlifted him to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital for specialist treatment.
The crash blocked the highway for much of the day, and motorists were diverted via the Oxley Highway and Thunderbolts Way.
Specialist crash investigators from Kempsey, as well as forensic photogrammetry police, were called out to examine the crash scene.
The cause of the crash is under investigation, and the specialist crash reports and photos from the scene, as well as examinations of the wrecks, will form part of a brief for the coroner.
On Sunday morning, Tamworth man Matthew O'Rourke was killed in a horrific crash near the Kentucky turnoff.
The motorcyclist, aged in his 20s, died after hitting a kangaroo then being struck by a passing utility, police said.
Tributes are flowing for the former Carinya Christian School student, and a GoFundMe fundraising page has been set up for donations to the family.
"Pirates Rugby Club send our deepest condolences out to all of Matt O’Rourke’s family and friends after his tragic passing," the club posted online.
"Matt was a former Pirates junior who was a great mate to all and will be sorely missed.
"Rest In Peace Matt."
By late Thursday, the fundraiser had amassed close to $6000 in donations for his family.
"He had a personality that would bring light [to] the room and put a smile on everyone's face who he was around," organisers said online.
"He was loved by many and he won't be forgotten."