A vehicle collision on Appin Road in Appin, south-west of Sydney, resulted in the death of a 17-year-old female and injuries to four other individuals on Thursday evening. The driver of one of the vehicles involved has since been charged with multiple offenses.
Incident Overview
The incident occurred at approximately 8:00 PM on Thursday in Appin Village, on a section of Appin Road with a 50 km/h speed limit. The collision involved a sedan, identified by some sources as a Mazda, and a ute, identified as a Toyota Hilux. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene following the crash.
Casualties and Injuries
A 17-year-old female passenger in the sedan was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Four other individuals sustained injuries:
- A 46-year-old male and a female, reported as either 36 or 30 years old, both passengers in the sedan, were transported to Liverpool Hospital. Their conditions were reported as critical by two sources and stable by another.
- A 12-year-old male, also from the sedan, received minor injuries and was taken to Westmead Hospital.
- The 22-year-old male driver of the ute sustained minor injuries and was transported to Campbelltown Hospital for mandatory testing. He was admitted under police supervision.
Local residents provided assistance at the crash site before emergency services arrived.
Investigation and Legal Action
The New South Wales Police crash investigation unit has initiated inquiries to determine the cause of the collision. A report detailing the findings is being prepared for the coroner.
The 22-year-old ute driver was subsequently taken to Campbelltown Police Station. He was charged with 14 offenses, including aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death, driving at a dangerous speed, and driving under the influence of alcohol. Bail was refused, and he is scheduled to appear in Bail Division court.
Road Context and Infrastructure
Appin Road is a major state road in the region, characterized by high traffic volume, including freight trucks. The road is currently undergoing upgrades and widening, with construction aimed at accommodating extensive residential development in areas such as Appin, Gilead, and Wilton.
The road has been the site of previous fatal crashes, including an incident in 2023 where a 13-year-old boy died after being struck by a truck. A local official has cited the incident as reinforcing the need for a bypass around the town. Transport for NSW has confirmed that a bypass of Appin town centre will be investigated as part of the South West Sydney Roads Planning Project.