Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a two-car crash that claimed the lives of an elderly man and woman in Salamander Bay on Wednesday afternoon.
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Emergency services including police and NSW Fire and Rescue responded to reports of a crash between two cars at the roundabout intersecting Port Stephens Drive and Salamander Way shortly after the collision about 2pm.
Police said a Toyota Aurion that had been travelling north along Port Stephens Drive and a Holden Commodore heading west along Salamander Way when they collided at the roundabout.
Three people, two in the Toyota and one in the Holden, were trapped in the vehicles for a short time following the crash.
Fire and Rescue crews from the nearby Salamander Bay Fire Station were called to assist in freeing the people trapped in the cars.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service also responded to the emergency. The helicopter landed at nearby Salamander Bay Sports Complex but ultimately did not transport any patients to hospital.
Responding NSW Ambulance paramedics commenced CPR on the Toyota driver, a 77-year-old woman, and her passenger, an 80-year old man.
However, both died at the scene of the crash.
Initial police reports on Wednesday indicated that the man had been the driver of the Toyota. However, in an updated report on Thursday, police said the woman had been the driver of the Toyota.
The Holden driver, a 44-year-old man, was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital for a head injury in a stable condition.
The initial police report stated that the driver had been taken to nearby Tomaree Community Hospital in Nelson Bay for assessment. The updated police report on Thursday said the man was taken to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle where he underwent mandatory testing.
Officers from the Crash Investigation Unit attended the scene on Wednesday and have "commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash", police said.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
It is the second double fatal crash in Salamander Bay in the past two two years. Two visiting tradesmen, Jamie Ward, 34, and Lauri Juerman, 29, were both killed when the car they were passengers of veered off Soldiers Point Road and hit a tree in April 2018.
Earlier report, Wednesday 4.30pm:
A man and a woman have died following a collision between two cars at a Salamander Bay roundabout on Wednesday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to the intersection of Port Stephens Drive and Salamander Way about 2pm following reports two vehicles had collided.
It is understood three people were trapped in the two cars for a short time following the crash.
Fire and Rescue NSW said crews from Salamander Bay Fire Station attended the scene.
"Crews arrived to find one person in each vehicle trapped and worked quickly to free the patients," a NSWFR spokesperson said.
The male driver of one of the vehicles died at the scene, police said.
The female passenger of this first vehicle was due to be airlifted to John Hunter Hospital. However, she died shortly after.
The man and woman who died have yet to be formally identified.
The male driver of the second vehicle has been taken to Tomaree Community Hospital in Nelson Bay for mandatory testing, police said.
A crime scene has been established, with officers from the Crash Investigation Unit currently on scene.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash has been launched.
Traffic is slow in the area, with police expecting both roads to be impacted for some time.
Officers are urging drivers to avoid the area or to take an alternate route home.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
More to come.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
