Man dies in truck crash on notorious road with vehicle restrictions

A man tragically lost his life in a truck rollover accident on Jamberoo Mountain Road, a notorious route with numerous hairpin turns and vehicle restrictions. This incident marks the second truck crash in recent weeks on the road, which connects the Southern Highlands and South Coast. Kiama Council has been urging the NSW government to take responsibility for the road, citing the need for major safety upgrades.

The winding road is one of two major routes linking these two regions and features a sign outlining vehicle restrictions, including a ban on any vehicle over 10 meters or 12 tonnes. A police spokesperson stated that a heavy, rigid truck was involved in the fatal accident, and they would investigate whether it should have been on the road.

Emergency services arrived at the scene just before 6pm on Wednesday to find a truck that had gone off the road and rolled onto its roof. One passenger, believed to be in his 20s, died at the scene, while another in the same age group and the driver were also injured. The two injured survivors required critical care, with one flown to St George Hospital and the other taken to Liverpool Hospital.

Fire and Rescue Illawarra Superintendent Daniel Pridham described the rescue as a true multi-agency operation, with members of the community providing initial assistance. Kiama Deputy Mayor Melissa Matters expressed her condolences to the victim's family and friends and urged people to use caution on the road, which is primarily intended for cars and not heavy vehicles, buses, or other larger vehicles.

The council has been calling for the state government to take ownership of the road due to its significant safety issues and recurring accidents.