UPDATE: A man in his 30s has tragically died after his vehicle crashed into a tree and caught fire on the Hume Highway just north of Gundagai. The devastating incident occurred just before 2 PM on October 19, prompting an urgent response from emergency services.
Authorities report that the driver was the sole occupant of a grey Toyota sedan that veered off the highway and plummeted down an embankment before colliding with a tree. NSW Police confirmed that despite immediate medical assessment by NSW Ambulance paramedics, the man died at the scene due to the severity of his injuries.
Fire crews from the NSW Rural Fire Service quickly arrived to extinguish the flames that engulfed the vehicle, preventing further fire spread but unfortunately unable to save the car, which was completely destroyed.
In the aftermath of the crash, police have established a crime scene and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Roads remain closed, with the Hume Highway northbound between Coolac and Bowning shut down as of 7 PM on Sunday.
Motorists are being diverted via Muttama Road to Cootamundra, then connecting to the Olympic Highway to reach Wallendbeen, and ultimately rejoining the highway at Bowning. This route is suitable for all vehicles, including B-doubles up to 26 metres in length.
Authorities are urging drivers to allow for extra travel time and to adhere to instructions from emergency services and traffic crews. The situation remains fluid, and updates will follow as investigations continue into this tragic accident.
Stay tuned for further developments on this ongoing situation.
