97-Year-Old Woman Dies After Car Crashes into Tree on Pacific Highway – December 18, 2024

What happened

Incident Overview

On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, a single-vehicle crash on the Pacific Highway in Tintenbar, northern New South Wales, claimed the life of a 97-year-old woman and left three other occupants injured. The vehicle veered off the road and collided with a tree at approximately 12:30 pm local time.

Emergency services, including NSW Ambulance paramedics and a rescue helicopter, attended the scene. The elderly passenger was airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.

Location and Time

The crash occurred on the Pacific Highway in Tintenbar, a town located north of Ballina in the Far North Coast region of NSW, at approximately 12:30 pm on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

Vehicles Involved

Vehicle 1

• Type: Single vehicle (make and model not specified in report)
• Direction: Traveling on the Pacific Highway when it veered off the road
• Occupants: Four people on board at time of crash

Injuries / Fatalities

Fatalities

• 97-year-old woman, front-seat passenger (airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital, deceased)

Injuries

• 35-year-old female driver (minor injuries)
• 15-year-old rear-seat passenger (minor injuries)
• 16-year-old rear-seat passenger (minor injuries)

Community Impact

The incident has deeply affected the local Tintenbar community and the wider Far North Coast region. The loss of life, particularly of an elderly resident, serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of road safety for all drivers and passengers on this major coastal route.

Emergency Response

NSW Ambulance paramedics and a rescue helicopter responded to the scene. The 97-year-old woman was treated at the scene and airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital for emergency care. The three other occupants received treatment for their minor injuries.

Investigation

NSW Police are investigating the circumstances of the crash. Investigators are examining the scene, the vehicle involved, and gathering witness statements and any available dashcam footage to determine the cause of the collision and contributing factors. Potential factors under consideration include speed, driver fatigue, distraction, visibility, road conditions, and the possibility of a medical episode or vehicle malfunction.

Appeal for Information

NSW Police are appealing for any witnesses to the crash or motorists with dashcam footage of the Pacific Highway in Tintenbar around 12:30 pm on December 18, 2024, to contact Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.