Two male riders have died on New Year’s Eve in NSW in a tragic end to 2019, bringing the total number of motorcycle deaths for the year to 67.
That is seven above the three-year average and was the third rider death in NSW in 24 hours.
UPDATE: In an equally tragic start to 2020, just two hours after midnight a young Victorian rider died when his motorcycle collided with a car coming in the opposite direction in Jacana, in Melbourne’s north.
Police say they are “investigating whether speed was a factor in the collision”.
Dubbo death
Just before 9pm last night (31 December 2019), emergency services were called to the Mitchell Highway in Maryvale, just north of Wellington near Dubbo, following reports of a crash between a motorcycle and utility vehicle.
The rider, believed to be a man aged in his 20s, died at the scene.
Police say the male driver of the utility, and a female passenger, were airlifted to Orange Base Hospital with multiple injuries.
The utility caught fire and was extinguished by NSW Rural Fire Service.
Orana Mid-Western Police District officers have established a crime scene and the Crash Investigation Unit are investigating.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Coffs Harbour crash
At 9pm, emergency services received reports that a male rider was found on the road near his motorcycle at Coramba Road, Coffs Harbour.
Passers-by tried to revive him until NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived. Despite their efforts, the man died at the scene.
The man is yet to be formally identified.
Coffs Clarence Police District officers will prepare a report for the Coroner.
Anyone who may have been driving along Coramba Road around the time of the incident, and witnessed or captured dashcam footage of the motorbike, is urged to contact Coffs Harbour Police Station on (02) 6691 0799.
Park fatal
These deaths follows another fatal the night before when a 22-year-old male rider died in Sydney’s Royal National Park while on a group ride.
Anyone with information about any of these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Our condolences to the riders’ family and friends.
We also sincerely wish you all a safe and hazy New Year.
Serious crash
And in North Queensland, a male rider in his 20s has been seriously injured after hitting a guard rail on the Ed Kratzmann Bridge, on Bruce Highway, at Mutarnee, north of Rollingstone about 12.50pm today.
He was transported to Townsville Hospital in a critical condition.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.