Three dead in Christmas Eve crash taking road toll to 16

The number of deaths on the road this holiday season has increased by three after a horror smash on Whistler Crescent in the south-east of Melbourne.

Three people lost their lives at Point Cook just after 7.30pm on Christmas Eve when one car flipped and another caught fire on Palmers Road on Sunday evening.

A fourth passenger has been rushed to hospital, but police confirmed to Channel 9 that their injuries are not life-threatening.

All four of the people involved are yet to be formally identified. A total of 16 people have died since the launch of Operation Safe Arrival on December 15.

Three people have died and a fourth was injured during a horror collision on Sunday evening

 Emergency services rushed to Point Cook around 7.30pm on Christmas Eve after a car flipped

 Emergency services rushed to Point Cook around 7.30pm on Christmas Eve after a car flipped

The exact circumstances surrounding the crash are being investigated by Major Collision Investigation Unit members.

News.com.au reported that the road is closed as police look into the incident and prepare a report for the coroner. 

Australia is nine days into Operation Safe Arrival – the period from December 15th to 31st where the double-demerit point system is in place and 388 high-visibility patrol vehicles will be out on the roads.

In New South Wales, four people have died on the roads in just 24 hours after a motorcyclist hit a rock wall near Coffs Harbour.

Around 2.30pm emergency services were called to Waterfall Way in Dorrigo, about 65km west of Coffs Harbour, after reports a motorcycle had crashed into a rock wall, the Daily Telegraph reported. 

A NSW police spokeswoman said the rider, a 26-year-old man, died at the scene.  

Earlier a 48-year-old man died after his car collided with another vehicle near Lismore in northeastern NSW, meaning that in less than 10 days, 13 people have died on NSW roads.

In less than 10 days, 13 people have died on NSW roads during Operation Safe Arrival in 2017

In less than 10 days, 13 people have died on NSW roads during Operation Safe Arrival in 2017

‘We have had [16] people die during Operation Safe Arrival, which means more places will be empty at the family Christmas table tomorrow,’ NSW Police assistant commissioner Michael Corboy said in a statement on Sunday.

‘It is disappointing to see a number of incidents of drink driving. You will be caught, or worse still, end up killing yourself or a loved one.’

It follows the death of a 25-year-old man after the car he was travelling in collided with a taxi van carrying six people near Walcha on Saturday night, police say. 

A horrifying photo posted online shows the charred remains of a vehicle after a bad accident

A horrifying photo posted online shows the charred remains of a vehicle after a bad accident

A horrifying photo of the charred remains of a vehicle after it burst into flames during a crash has been used as a timely reminder from police on social media.

The image shows a badly burnt wreck after an accident in WA’s Great Southern prompting police to issue a warning. 

Officers are urging motorists to take care on the roads this holiday season as travelers trek across the country to visit loved ones.  

‘Another pointless crash on our highway, use your brain this Christmas and get home safe. All survived, surprisingly,’ the photo was captioned. 

A young boy has  died in a quad bike accident on a rural farm the Saturday before Christmas

A young boy has died in a quad bike accident on a rural farm the Saturday before Christmas

Meanwhile, an eight-year-old tragically died in a quad bike accident on a farm in Jerramungup in Western Australia midday on Saturday.

He was riding the vehicle through the rural property when the accident occurred, prompting his younger brother ran three kilometres to seek assistance.

The boy was tragically was unable to be saved once help arrived, and the local community is reportedly devastated at his loss. 

Emergency services were called to a home in Bass Hill in Sydney's west on Sunday evening where a two-year-old boy was pulled unconscious from the water and could not be revived

Emergency services were called to a home in Bass Hill in Sydney’s west on Sunday evening where a two-year-old boy was pulled unconscious from the water and could not be revived

Tragedy also struck a family on Christmas Eve after a young boy drowned in a backyard pool.

Emergency services were called to a home in Bass Hill in Sydney’s south-west on Sunday evening where a two-year-old boy was pulled unconscious from the water.

The child was treated at the scene on Broad Street just before 7pm before being rushed to Westmead Children’s Hospital, but was unable to be revived.

A report is being prepared for the coroner and police are investigating the incident.



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