A second person has died following a fatal crash in Armidale on the weekend, a man near Mullaley died after the paddock he was working in caught on fire, and another died when their ute rolled over near Wee Waa.
About 3.30pm on Saturday a woman crashed her car into a group of cyclists on Long Swamp Road, Armidale, before the car continued and hit a tree, then bursting in to flames. The riders were taking part in the Long Swamp Graded Scratch 30km race at the time being run by the Armidale Cycling Club.
One of the cyclists – a man aged in his 60’s – died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified, but was named by NBN News as Andrew Swann, an avid cyclist who was heavily involved in the Armidale Cycling Club.
Three other cyclists – aged 57, 39 and a teenage boy – were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics. The teenage boy was also airlifted to John Hunter by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, while the other two riders were taken to Armidale Hospital in a stable condition.
The driver of the vehicle – a 30-year-old woman – was trapped and released shortly following the arrival of emergency services. She was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics and airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition, before passing away on Sunday.
The close knit local cycling community is in shock, many taking to social media to express their condolences. Former president of the Armidale Cycling Club, Mark Bullen, told ABC the close-knit cycling community is in mourning.
“Every person I spoke to, they said they’re numb,” he said.
“It has devastated the community and it’s going to be ongoing for quite a long time.”
Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan incorrectly posted that a child had died in the incident. He later deleted the social media post, saying the incorrect information had come from the “Ministers office”. Unfortunately this misinformation is still being repeated on social media.
Officers from New England Police District established a crime scene, which was examined by officers from the Crash Investigation Unit. A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.
Meanwhile, a man has died in hospital following a fire on a property on McEvoys Road, Goolhi (near Mullaley) on Saturday.
The man was operating machinery on the paddock at the time when he got caught up in a grass fire. He was injured and treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before he was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital suffering burns to his body, but died on Sunday.
Officers from Orana Mid Western Police District attended and established a crime scene and are making inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the fire and the man’s death. A report will be prepared for the Coroner and the incident has been referred to SafeWork NSW.
Also on Sunday, a man who has not yet been identified rolled his ute on Culgoora Road, Wee Waa. The driver was alone in the vehicle, and died at the scene. A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
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