NSW: Couple fight for lives after losing girls in fiery smash

AAP General News (Australia)
12-29-2009
NSW: Couple fight for lives after losing girls in fiery smash

By Britt Smith and Andrew Drummond

SYDNEY, Dec 29 AAP - A NSW couple remains critically ill with burns after a relative
bravely dragged them from the flaming car wreck that killed their two young daughters.

The Ulladulla family, understood to have been travelling in convoy with other family
members who witnessed the crash, was nearing the end of their journey from Victoria when
they were hit by a fully laden diesel tanker about 4.40pm (AEDT) on Monday.

David Bridge, 45, is believed to have been behind the wheel of the Subaru Forester
when the crash occurred about 20km north of Batemans Bay on the Princes Highway.

He and his 40-year-old partner Debbie had suffered burns to about 80 per cent of their
bodies by the time they were pulled free.

The rescuer, hailed a hero along with three other passers-by, was unable to retrieve
the girls' bodies from the inferno.

"He burnt his hands trying to release the children from the car, and get their parents
out," Ambulance Service of NSW Illawarra district manager Wayne Dunlop said.

Mr Dunlop said the scene was tragic and distressing.

"Everyone knew there were two deceased in the vehicle, two young children at the time,
... even the bystanders there that actually pulled people out of the vehicles."

Police confirmed on Tuesday the sisters, aged 11 and 13, died on impact, along with
the 36-year-old Narellan Vale truck driver, identified in the media as Dave Carolan.

Mr Carolan reportedly left behind three young children, the youngest just two months old.

His employer, Cootes Transport, told Network Ten their other drivers were "very saddened
by the tragedy".

The incident also involved two other vehicles and injured four other people.

A spokeswoman for Royal North Shore Hospital, where Mr Bridge was taken by emergency
helicopter following the crash, said he was in a "particularly critical" condition with
"severe burn injuries".

She said he spent several hours in theatre before being returned to the hospital's
intensive care unit about 5pm (AEDT).

"They are doing everything they can but there is no certainty as to the outcome," she told AAP.

His partner was taken to Sydney's Concord Hospital where she is in a critical but stable
condition.

Police believe the truck drifted into oncoming traffic, but the accident has reignited
debate over whether the highway is safe.

The NSW opposition on Tuesday called on the federal government to step in after criticising
the state government for 15 years of funding neglect.

"That is ultimately playing a Russian roulette with people's lives," Opposition Leader
Barry O'Farrell told reporters.

Mr O'Farrell's comments were echoed by Shoalhaven Councillor Robert Miller, based at
Ulladulla, who said he was angry the poor state of the highway had cost more lives.

"This is two local girls who have died and it just highlights the lack of funding for
roads along the south coast," Mr Miller said.

NSW Transport Minister David Campbell said the government had spent more than $350
million on upgrade projects on the highway during the past five years.

He added that an extra $30 million had gone into a safety improvement program that
was completed in 2007.

"My thoughts go out to the family and friends," he said in a statement.

The crash took the NSW holiday road toll to 17.



(EDS: National road toll figures are for the period 0001 December 18 to 2359 January
3. Some states and territories have different periods.)

AAP bzs/hn/apm

KEYWORD: TOLL NSW WRAP

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.