Two people killed after B-doubles collide and burst into flames
Two truck drivers have died after their B-doubles collided – one bursting into flames on impact – in South Australia’s mid-north.
Emergency services were called to the crash on the Augusta Highway at Miranda, 20 kilometres south of Port Augusta, just after 1am on Friday.
A 31-year-old man from the Port Augusta area and a 35-year-old Campbelltown man died at the scene.
SA Police superintendent Bob Gray said the head-on crash took place after one of the trucks veered into the wrong lane.
“It was a very large scene and it was a tragic situation,” he told reporters.
“One of the trucks (burst into flames) and one of the occupants was incinerated at the scene.”
He said the incident marked a horror start to the Easter long weekend.
“It’s devastating for the police, it’s devastating for emergency services and it’s devastating for the state of South Australia,” he said.
“I implore people – take responsibility and don’t be complacent because it can happen to you.”
Supt Gray could not say whether SafeWork was on the scene, but said police are investigating whether fatigue played a role in the crash.
The highway was blocked off for several hours while Major Crash officers examined the site.
The deaths bring the state’s annual road toll to 38, compared to 22 at the same time last year.
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