Dubbo, New South Wales – A tragic accident occurred in the New South Wales Central West, resulting in the death of a man and multiple injuries following a police pursuit. The pursuit began after officers responded to a domestic violence incident involving the driver of a car on the Mitchell Highway. The man, believed to be 32 years old, succumbed to his injuries after colliding head-on with a bus when he veered into oncoming traffic.
The pursuit, initiated by police after recognizing the suspect, led to a fatal outcome as the man failed to stop the vehicle, resulting in a collision with the bus. The bus driver, a 54-year-old woman, took evasive action that potentially saved the lives of her passengers. The quick thinking and actions of the bus driver played a crucial role in minimizing the impact of the accident, according to authorities on the scene.
NSW Police Western Region Commander Rod Smith revealed that the domestic violence incident occurred earlier in the morning, prompting officers to locate the suspect driving shortly after. Despite efforts to stop the vehicle, the pursuit was terminated due to the dangerous manner of driving exhibited by the suspect. Tragically, the man’s actions led to the fatal collision with the bus, resulting in a devastating outcome.
Twenty-six passengers were safely evacuated from the bus by Fire and Rescue NSW, with eight individuals transported to Dubbo Base Hospital for treatment. Among the injured were passengers in stable condition, including the bus driver who underwent mandatory testing following the collision. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash and the domestic violence incident that preceded it.
The Mitchell Highway has been closed in both directions as investigations continue, causing significant disruptions to traffic flow. Police anticipate the closure to persist for several hours, with light vehicles rerouted to the Golden Highway and heavy vehicles temporarily parked. Motorists are strongly advised to avoid the area to prevent further complications and delays. The tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable nature of pursuits and the potential risks involved in vehicular confrontations.