NSW: Irish backpacker killed in head on collision

AAP General News (Australia)
12-02-2000
NSW: Irish backpacker killed in head on collision

SYDNEY, Dec 2 AAP - An Irish backpacker has been killed and his friend seriously injured
in a head-on crash in Sydney's west today.

The tourists were travelling east-bound on Parramatta Road at Concord when their van
clipped the side of a bus heading in the same direction.

The van, which was travelling at high speed, then lost control, crossed the median
strip and crashed head-on into a State Transit Authority (STA) bus, an ambulance spokeswoman
said.

The van's driver died instantly and his 26-year-old Irish backpacking friend sustained
spinal and abdominal injuries and limb fractures.

The injured man was taken to Westmead Hospital in a serious condition after authorities
worked for an hour to free him from the wreckage.

The STA bus had just left the Concord bus depot and had no passengers on board, the
spokeswoman said.

The driver had shattered glass in his ear canals and was taken to Concord Hospital for treatment.

He was in a satisfactory condition.

The accident occurred shortly before 8am (AEDT).

AAP sal/cdh

KEYWORD: TOLL NSW LEAD

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