A Sydney teenager remains in critical condition after a tragic accident in Kirrawee. The incident occurred late Monday night as he was crossing the Princes Highway with friends.
The group, consisting of four young people, had reached a designated pedestrian refuge area before attempting to cross during what they perceived to be a lull in traffic. However, one member of the group, a 16-year-old, hesitated and was struck by an oncoming vehicle that had proceeded through an intersection on a green light.
Witnesses described the scene with stark clarity. “We heard a really loud thump, bang,” recounted one resident. “It was an unusual sound so we went out to investigate and saw this poor man sprawled on the road.”
The impact propelled the teen approximately 40 meters down the roadway. His companions immediately rushed to his side, discovering he had sustained significant head trauma and internal injuries. Emergency responders swiftly transported him to St George Hospital where he is currently being treated in a critical state.
The driver of the vehicle, a 20-year-old with a provisional license, was also attended to by paramedics who provided support for shock.
Police have stated that preliminary investigations indicate no wrongdoing on the part of the driver. A breath and drug test returned negative results.
The incident has sparked concerns regarding pedestrian safety along this stretch of highway. One local resident, Simpson, highlighted the inadequacy of the existing pedestrian crossing system.
- “It’s a six-lane road, and the traffic signals don’t provide sufficient time for pedestrians to safely cross entirely,” she explained. “They stop midway, creating a gap where people feel compelled to take risks – it’s genuinely dangerous.”
The investigation into the accident is ongoing.
“It’s really dangerous,” Simpson added, emphasizing the need for improvements to prevent future incidents.
