BLAKE LORNIE-DUGUID

April 30,2014

Collie residents have taken to social media to express their concerns in the wake of a fatal vehicle crash at an alleged trouble spot.

A 47-year-old Bunbury man died after a crash involving a truck and three cars occurred on Coalfields Road at around 5:30am on Tuesday.

WA police spokesperson Susan Usher said it was believed the accident occurred when the rear trailer of a prime mover rolled over, crashing into three cars.

Two other men were taken to Bunbury hospital for treatment to minor injuries, while the truck driver was treated at the scene.

Locals last night took to the WA Police Facebook and Twitter pages to voice their opinions on what may have caused the crash.

Many comments expressed concern over the road’s ability to cope with high volumes of traffic. One man described the stretch of road between Bunbury and Collie as a “death trap”.

Bunbury resident Bruce Kimberley a former road train driver and current trainer and assessor for heavy vehicle licences, knows the Coalfields Road well.

He said winter fog and a dangerous bend in the road near the crash site could be challenging for drivers.

He said significant upgrades, which are currently underway, would be necessary to cope with an expected increase in traffic to the area associated with Bunbury’s new grain export facility.

Mr Kimberley said he believed the majority of motor accidents in the area were caused by “driver complacency” and that many people failed to take necessary precautions on Coalfields Road.

Major crash investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the crash and more information is expected to be released in the coming days.