37-Year-Old Mount Gambier Man Killed After Mazda Ute Crashes Into Tree – Tantanoola Road, SA – 10 October 2025

What happened

Incident Overview

A man has died following a single-vehicle crash in South Australia’s South East on Friday afternoon, October 10, 2025. Around 2:30 pm, emergency services were called to Tantanoola Road, near Mount Gambier, after reports that a Mazda utility vehicle had left the roadway and collided with a tree.

The driver, a 37-year-old man from Mount Gambier, was the sole occupant and was declared deceased at the scene. The section of Tantanoola Road between Kongorong–Tantanoola Road and the Princes Highway was closed for several hours while Major Crash Investigators examined the scene.

“The driver, a 37-year-old man from Mount Gambier, was the sole occupant and died at the scene.” — SA Police

• Crash Date: Friday, October 10, 2025 (approximately 2:30 pm)
• Location: Tantanoola Road, between Kongorong–Tantanoola Road and Princes Highway, South East Region, South Australia

• Mazda utility vehicle, driven by a 37-year-old Mount Gambier man (fatal)

• Fatality:
  • 37-year-old male driver from Mount Gambier, deceased at the scene.
• Serious Injuries:
  • No other injuries reported.

The Mount Gambier community has been left reeling following the death of the 37-year-old man. His passing marks the 70th life lost on South Australian roads in 2025, continuing a tragic upward trend in the state’s road toll. The incident reinforces police calls for drivers to remain alert and cautious, particularly on regional highways.

“The 37-year-old’s death marks the 70th life lost on South Australian roads this year.” — SA Police

Emergency Response

• Emergency services responded to the crash around 2:30 pm after reports that a Mazda ute had left the road and struck a tree.
• Paramedics attended but were unable to revive the driver.
• Major Crash Investigators were flown to the scene to determine the cause of the collision.
• Tantanoola Road was closed for several hours and reopened around 10:00 pm once the investigation concluded.

“Major Crash Investigators were flown in to determine what led to the fatal smash.” — SA Police / 7NEWS

Investigation

South Australia Police Major Crash Investigators are examining:

• The cause of the ute leaving the roadway and colliding with a tree.
• Whether fatigue, speed, or mechanical failure contributed to the crash.
• Any available dashcam footage from motorists travelling along Tantanoola Road at the time.

Appeal for Information

Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage to contact:

• Crime Stoppers SA: Call 1800 333 000 or report online at [www.crimestopperssa.com.au](https://www.crimestopperssa.com.au)
• Witness Reporting: Contact South Australia Police Major Crash directly or at the nearest police station.