TWO men are “lucky to be alive” after they were thrown from a car during a serious crash on a notorious stretch of the Riverina Highway yesterday morning.
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Four young men in total, aged between 18 and 22, were taken to Albury hospital after the single-vehicle crash between Kerrs Road and Lake Hume Village about 1.15am.
Eerily, the crash occurred just 100 metres from a roadside memorial to Albury man Peter Bass, 21, who was killed in a single vehicle accident in 2002.
It again raises questions of safety along that stretch of highway, prompting Albury MP Greg Aplin to reaffirm his commitment to improving the road — although when it will happen is the great unknown.
Mr Aplin has been pressing for many years for the 2.7-kilometre hillside section approaching Bethanga Bridge to be upgraded and for a separate narrow section near Hawksview to be widened.
But major works on these sections are unlikely to happen soon because traffic statistics were not high enough to justify funding priority.
“It’s been a long time and one I intend to see completed ... I expect in a few years we will see some major works,” Mr Aplin said.
EDITORIAL: Riverina Highway needs fix now
Albury police Insp Anthony Moodie said it appeared the blue Ford Falcon left the road while travelling toward Lake Hume and rolled a number of times before coming to rest.
One of the men in the car called for an ambulance, and Volunteer Rescue Association crews also attended, remaining at the site until 7am to help attend to the victims and lighting the scene for forensic officers’ investigations.
An 18-year-old passenger suffered severe spinal injuries and was transferred to a Melbourne hospital.
The 21-year-old passenger suffered a dislocated hip; the 20 year old, fractured legs and wrist; and the 22 year old, a fractured wrist.
Insp Moodie said as investigations were ongoing, “everything was ruled in” and police had yet to determine if alcohol, speed or road conditions had led to the crash.
“I wouldn’t like to speculate (the cause) until there’s something more concrete,” he said.
“Police haven’t spoken to the occupants yet ... and I couldn’t speculate if there will be any charges.”
Earlier this year, Roads and Maritime Services patched up a narrow stretch of road near the bridge.
This month the NSW government allocated another $320,000 for safety barriers and road widening at Trout Farm Road, Albury.
Any information on the crash to Albury police, (02) 6023 9299.
