Three Dead, Four Injured in Head-On Kings Highway Collision Near Monga

Three individuals died and four others sustained injuries following a head-on collision on the Kings Highway in Monga, southern New South Wales, on Monday evening. The incident, involving two Hyundai vehicles, led to a 12-hour closure of the highway as emergency services responded and investigators began their work.

The head-on collision, involving two Hyundai vehicles, resulted in three fatalities and four injuries, prompting a 12-hour closure of the Kings Highway.

Incident Details

The collision occurred just after 5:00 PM on Monday, approximately 42 kilometres north-west of Batemans Bay and southeast of Queanbeyan.

The vehicles involved were identified as a 2023 model white Hyundai Ioniq, reportedly travelling west, and a silver Hyundai i20, travelling east. Early investigations suggest one vehicle crossed into the incorrect side of the road, resulting in the head-on impact.

Casualties and Injuries

Fatalities in Eastbound Hyundai i20

Three occupants of the eastbound silver Hyundai i20 died at the scene:

• A 38-year-old female driver.
• A 19-year-old female passenger.
• An unidentified male passenger.

A fourth passenger from the same vehicle, a 15-year-old female, sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to Canberra Hospital for surgery on Tuesday.

Injuries in Westbound Hyundai Ioniq

From the westbound white Hyundai Ioniq, four individuals were injured and transported to hospitals:

• The driver, identified as a 39-year-old male by one source and a 31-year-old male by another, was flown to Westmead Hospital with serious injuries and underwent surgery on Tuesday.
• A seven-year-old child was transported to The Children's Hospital at Westmead in stable condition.
• A three-year-old child was taken to Canberra Hospital as a precautionary measure and for medical assessment.

All individuals involved in the crash were reported to be from the ACT and Queanbeyan regions.

Investigation and Road Closure

The Monaro Police District has established a crime scene, with specialist officers from the Southern Regional Crash Investigation Unit leading the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the collision.

The Kings Highway was closed in both directions for approximately 12 hours following the crash, reopening just after 5:00 AM on Tuesday. The closure points included east of Braidwood, near Tudor Valley Road and at Clyde Mountain Road.

Authorities have appealed for anyone with dash-cam footage of either the 2023 model white Hyundai Ioniq or the silver Hyundai i20 prior to the incident to contact Crime Stoppers to assist with the ongoing investigation.

Broader Context

This incident contributes to the total number of fatalities on NSW roads this year, which currently stands at 68, an increase from 46 during the same period in the previous year.

The collision occurred at the conclusion of a long weekend observed in the ACT, a region connected to the coast via the Kings Highway.