Source : Perth Now news
Five people are now confirmed dead after a fiery head-on crash on the Stuart Highway, south-east of Dawrin.
Northern Territory Police initially reported four deaths before a fifth victim was found during an ongoing examination of the scene.
At about 12.50pm on Wednesday, emergency services received multiple reports of a head-on crash involving a Toyota HiAce van and a Ford Ranger utility on the Stuart Highway, about 2km south of the Marrakai Road turn-off.
Investigators allege the utility had been travelling at excessive speed and overtaking dangerously in the minutes before the collision.
The dead are believed to be a 69-year-old woman, who was the sole occupant of the Toyota HiAce, and four people travelling in the Ford Ranger: a 23-year-old man who was driving, a 23-year-old woman, a 36-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman.
Police worked through the night to identify those involved and have since spoken with the families of the deceased. A formal Disaster Victim Identification process is still under way.
Investigators said the Ford Ranger was travelling northbound when, for reasons not yet known, it crossed onto the wrong side of the Stuart Highway and slammed head-on into the southbound Toyota HiAce.
Both vehicles were left with catastrophic damage and caught fire soon after impact.
Members of the public who witnessed the crash tried to help, but the occupants could not be freed before both vehicles were fully engulfed in flames.
Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Schumacher said investigators were still working to piece together exactly what happened.
“This is an incredibly tragic incident that has claimed five lives and will have a devastating impact on multiple families and the wider community,” Sergeant Schumacher said.
“Witnesses have told investigators the utility was travelling at excessive speed and overtaking dangerously in the minutes leading up to the collision. We urge anyone who witnessed the driving of either vehicle prior to the crash, and who has not yet spoken to police, to come forward.”
The stretch of the Stuart Highway where the crash happened remains a crime scene, with a detour in place and delays expected for motorists.
The Major Crash Investigation Unit is continuing its investigation.
