June 2010

Rig rolls after wheels hit verge

Photo: NT Fire and Rescue Service A couple in their 60s surprisingly received only minor injuries in this accident on the Stuart Highway

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STRONG winds are believed to have caused an accident in which a caravan overturned on a remote Northern Territory highway.

No one was hurt in the mishap about 30km from the Erldunda roadhouse on the Lasseter Highway.

Police said the caravan began swaying in high winds and an overtaking car attempted to avoid it but spun into the rig.

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A WOMAN died in a horror three-car smash on the Pacific Highway near Bangalow in northern New South Wales.

The 54-year-old driver, from Upper Coomera in Queensland, was killed when her Toyota Camry station wagon careered onto the wrong side of the highway and collided with a northbound Kia Carnival van with four Lismore people onboard and a car towing a caravan.

Six people, including two children aged nine and the other seven months, were injured, with one woman being airlifted to hospital in the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter.

The Ballina Crash Investigation Unit is investigating and will prepare a report for the Coroner.

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TWO caravanners were injured when a 4WD towing a poptop caravan overturned on Bruce Highway south of Childers in Queensland.

Paramedics treated the couple at the scene before the woman driver was taken to Childers Hospital.

Police said their fully laden Toyota Landcruiser with a boat on its roof rolled on a gentle right hand bend in the highway.

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In South Australia, a 62-year-old woman died when she was trapped between a caravan and garage wall at Goolwa.

The caravan was being manoeuvred by a 4WD at a house in Heggaton Road, police said.

It is thought the couple was preparing for a touring holiday and were getting their caravan out of a shed.

A report was being prepared for the coroner.