Five teenagers were injured, one critically, after the car they were travelling in left the road and struck a tree in East Tamworth on Friday night.
How the Crash happened
Emergency crews were called to King George V Avenue at about 8.40pm on Friday, 10 July, after reports of a single-vehicle crash. Police say initial investigations indicate the sedan left the road before the rear right-hand side of the vehicle collided with a tree.
All five occupants three girls and two boys, all aged 17 were found injured at the scene.
The Injuries
The most serious injuries were sustained by two rear-seat passengers, both airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle:
- A 17-year-old girl, seated in the driver’s-side rear seat, suffered critical head injuries.
- A 17-year-old boy, in the left-side rear seat, was thrown from the vehicle on impact and suffered spinal injuries.
The remaining three occupants were taken to Tamworth Base Hospital, where police say their injuries are not considered life-threatening:
- The alleged driver, a 17-year-old girl and P1 licence holder, was treated for head and facial injuries and has undergone mandatory post-crash testing, standard procedure following a serious traffic incident.
- A 17-year-old girl believed to have been in the front passenger seat escaped with relatively minor injuries.
- A second 17-year-old boy, seated in the middle rear seat, is being assessed for leg and back injuries.
What Investigators Are Doing
A crime scene has been established at the site, with specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit (CIU) assisting local police — standard practice for a crash involving critical injuries. Investigations into exactly how and why the vehicle left the road are continuing, and police have not yet released a determined cause.
Why this matters beyond tamworth
Single-vehicle crashes involving young drivers remain one of the leading causes of serious injury and death on regional NSW roads. Under NSW’s graduated licensing scheme, P1 licence holders — like the driver in this crash face specific restrictions, including passenger limits after 11pm for drivers under 25, lower speed thresholds, and a zero blood alcohol limit, reflecting the elevated crash risk for newly licensed young drivers carrying multiple passengers.
King George V Avenue has been the site of previous crashes involving vehicles leaving the road, underscoring an ongoing road-safety concern in that stretch of East Tamworth.
What happens next?
The two critically injured teens remain under care at John Hunter Hospital, while the other three are being treated at Tamworth Base Hospital. Police have not indicated whether charges are likely, pending the outcome of the CIU investigation.
Anyone with dashcam footage or information about the crash is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information can be provided confidentially.
This is a developing story. Updates on the condition of the injured teenagers and the outcome of the police investigation will follow as they become available.