Two people have been killed on North Coast roads in the space of a day, a teenage motorcyclist, and an elderly man losing their lives, while a young woman has been airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition, in separate crashes stretching from Ballina to Port Macquarie.
The latest tragedy unfolded this morning at Lake Innes, about 10km south of Port Macquarie.
About 6.50am today (Thursday 16 July), emergency services were called to Houston Mitchell Drive following reports of a crash.
At the scene, police were told two vehicles had collided head on, blocking both directions of traffic.
Both drivers were removed from the vehicles before being treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
A woman believed to be aged in her 20s, was initially reported to have died at the scene, before police corrected that she was still alive, but airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
The other driver, a 43-year-old man, was taken to Port Macquarie Hospital for assessment and mandatory testing.
Another collision yesterday afternoon took the life of a young man at Kempsey.
Emergency services were called to Macleay Valley Way, Kempsey, at about 5.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 July) following reports of a crash.
Officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District attended and found a Nissan utility and a motorcycle had collided.
The motorcycle rider, a 19-year-old man, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene for serious injuries before he was taken to hospital in a critical condition. Police have since been told the man has died in hospital.
The driver of the utility, a 21-year-old man, was uninjured and was taken for mandatory testing.
Just hours earlier, an elderly man had been fatally injured in a crash at Ballina.
About 12pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 July), emergency services were called to a carpark at the airport in Ballina following reports of a crash.
Officers attached to Richmond Police District attended and found a sedan had crashed into two parked vehicles.
The driver, a 90-year-old man, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics and taken to hospital with serious injuries, where he later died.
Police have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding each crash. Reports will be prepared for the Coroner into the deaths.
Anyone with information or dashcam footage of any of the incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis.
Something going on in your part of the North Coast people should know about? Let us know by emailing newsdesk@nctimes.com.au