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Driver killed after veering onto the wrong side of the road

A man is dead and three elderly people are critically injured after a head-on crash on the NSW Central Coast.

The driver and sole occupant of the dark-coloured sedan was killed instantly when it is believed he veered out of control and crossed to the wrong side of the road, smashing into the front of an on-coming 4WD.

The impact sent the white Range Rover spinning around, landing down the embankment at Magenta, about 11am.

A man is dead and three elderly people are critically injured as a result of a head-on crash at Magenta, on the NSW Central Coast. Source: 7 News
A man is dead and three elderly people are critically injured as a result of a head-on crash at Magenta, on the NSW Central Coast. Source: 7 News

Inside the white SUV were three people thought to be aged in their late 70s.

The driver and female passenger sitting behind him bore the brunt of the impact. They were both trapped in the car with critical injuries.

Acting Inspector Shannon White of the Tuggerah Lakes Police described the crash as “a traumatic incident”.

Inside the white 4WD were three people with critical injuries, thought to be aged in their late 70s. Source: 7 News
Inside the white 4WD were three people with critical injuries, thought to be aged in their late 70s. Source: 7 News

“It’s not good for the emergency services and everyone who arrived on scene obviously with a person who has died,” he said.

Those injured received pelvic and lower limb fractures, according to paramedic Phil Clark.

“They were conscious and talking,” he said.

The driver and sole occupant of the dark coloured sedan was killed instantly when it is believed he veered out of control and crossed to the wrong side of the road. Source: 7 News
The driver and sole occupant of the dark coloured sedan was killed instantly when it is believed he veered out of control and crossed to the wrong side of the road. Source: 7 News

Speed is one potential factor, and investigators will also determine if the driver was using his mobile phone. An autopsy will tell them if he had drugs or alcohol in his system.

“At this point – there’s no known cause for this accident,” Acting Insp White said.

The speed limit on the notorious stretch of road was only recently reduced from 90 to 80km/h after another fatality, but the move was not enough to prevent Wednesday morning’s tragedy.