Woolgoolga crash baffles police

Another tragedy: The 17-year-old driver of the vehicle died after colliding with a truck at Woolgoolga.

POLICE still don't know why a Woolgoolga teenager's car crossed to the wrong side of the road on Wednesday night.

That horrific instant cost the 17-year-old her life when she was thrown from her Toyota Corolla after it slammed head-on into a truck.

The girl – the daughter of Woolgoolga Fire Station's deputy captain – was driving south on the Pacific Highway near Bosworth Road at 9.15pm.

Police said she veered to the wrong side of the road into the path of the oncoming tow-truck, driven by a Bulahdelah man, 49. He sustained a dislocated collarbone and spent the night in Coffs Harbour hospital.

He was en route to Tweed Heads with a Sydney woman, 44, and her 12-year-old son, and on the back was their four-wheel-drive which had broken down at Bulahdelah. Mother and son escaped injury.

The highway was blocked for at least five hours at the height of the emergency and salvage operation.

The Taree-based truck owner, Max French, was called at 9.30pm and drove to the accident scene, but on his way north he had to negotiate the disastrous crash zone at Valla.

“My driver is still shaken. He'll need a week or so (to recover),” Mr French said.

“He says he saw the other car come across to his side of the road and his passenger saw the same thing.”

The driver of the vehicle took it upon himself to visit the crash scene again yesterday.

Police said yesterday afternoon the girl who died was yet to be positively identified and their investigations into the smash were continuing.

If you witnessed the accident, contact Woolgoolga police on 66541244.