TRAGEDY struck in a split second for a grey nomad couple from Cairns yesterday when a rock smashed through the windscreen of their four-wheel-drive killing a woman, 65, instantly.
The womans husband, who was driving, was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital in shock after the freak accident on the Arnhem Highway, 30km east of the Adelaide River Crossing and 200m from a quarry entrance.
Crash investigator Sgt Trevor Seears said there was no evidence the rock, which was 15cm wide and 12 cm thick, came from the quarry
"Its just unlucky," Sgt Seears said.
The couple were on their way to Wildman River, Kakadu, about 160km southeast of Darwin, where they were to meet friends for a fishing getaway.
Yesterday afternoon their friends, who were out of mobile range, were still waiting for them to arrive.
About 6pm, police were trying to contact the ranger at Wildman River so he could inform the friends of the terrible news.
The accident happened about 2.30pm.
Sgt Seears said a northbound vehicle drove over the rock moments before the Cairns couple passed.
"It tumbled underneath the vehicle and flicked back up off the road and got the outbound vehicle, unluckily enough on the passenger-side, and went straight through the windscreen," Sgt Seears said.
The rock struck the woman.
The rock was thrown with such force that it smashed through the back window of the car and hit the utes canopy.
The four people in the passing vehicle saw the rock flick up behind their car and hit the other car.
They stopped to help and perform CPR.
It was the second death on Top End roads yesterday.
The Territory road toll stands at 18 deaths, compared with 21 fatalities the same time last year.
Dunco said
10:02 AM Jul 21, 2011
Poor buggers.....
But they say, when your number is up..................
Joe said
10:04 AM Jul 21, 2011
We've all had small rocks and stones hit the vehicle after being thrown up by another - I am just grateful that they were only small ones.
Drifters said
11:06 AM Jul 21, 2011
Your right it is dam scary. But I feel really sad when this sort of thing happens to such an active person enjoying her later years with he husband and friends. I hope he has plenty of friends and family that come to comfort him he is going to need it.
Vic said
11:12 AM Jul 21, 2011
Sheeeesh......what rotten luck......if the driver had been hit too who knows what might have happened. Sounds like it must have fallen off the back of a quarry truck leaving the quarry. Sorry sorry for the husband, family and friends, what a rotten way to go.
milo said
01:14 PM Jul 21, 2011
how very sad... just not fair... so sorry for the husband.. what else can you say?
Happywanderer said
03:46 PM Jul 21, 2011
What a sad story and not a damn thing you can do to avoid it happening. Condolencses to the family.
lilly31 said
04:24 PM Jul 21, 2011
Very sad for the family ,,,Bring's it back to what some many say on here live your life for now because you never know when it gone
Zoomtopz said
05:36 PM Jul 21, 2011
Heaven needed another Angel .
Bless her soul .
Prayers of support for th bloke .
Richo
jules47 said
06:02 PM Jul 21, 2011
How awful - a terrible tragedy - sympathy to the husband and their family.
Article in Cairns Post this morning. This could happen to anyone. Damm scary.
Cairns woman, 65, killed by rock on Northern Territory highway
Thursday, July 21, 2011
© The Cairns Post
TRAGEDY struck in a split second for a grey nomad couple from Cairns yesterday when a rock smashed through the windscreen of their four-wheel-drive killing a woman, 65, instantly.
The womans husband, who was driving, was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital in shock after the freak accident on the Arnhem Highway, 30km east of the Adelaide River Crossing and 200m from a quarry entrance.
Crash investigator Sgt Trevor Seears said there was no evidence the rock, which was 15cm wide and 12 cm thick, came from the quarry
"Its just unlucky," Sgt Seears said.
The couple were on their way to Wildman River, Kakadu, about 160km southeast of Darwin, where they were to meet friends for a fishing getaway.
Yesterday afternoon their friends, who were out of mobile range, were still waiting for them to arrive.
About 6pm, police were trying to contact the ranger at Wildman River so he could inform the friends of the terrible news.
The accident happened about 2.30pm.
Sgt Seears said a northbound vehicle drove over the rock moments before the Cairns couple passed.
"It tumbled underneath the vehicle and flicked back up off the road and got the outbound vehicle, unluckily enough on the passenger-side, and went straight through the windscreen," Sgt Seears said.
The rock struck the woman.
The rock was thrown with such force that it smashed through the back window of the car and hit the utes canopy.
The four people in the passing vehicle saw the rock flick up behind their car and hit the other car.
They stopped to help and perform CPR.
It was the second death on Top End roads yesterday.
The Territory road toll stands at 18 deaths, compared with 21 fatalities the same time last year.
But they say, when your number is up..................
Your right it is dam scary. But I feel really sad when this sort of thing happens to such an active person enjoying her later years with he husband and friends. I hope he has plenty of friends and family that come to comfort him he is going to need it.
how very sad... just not fair... so sorry for the husband.. what else can you say?
Heaven needed another Angel .
Bless her soul .
Prayers of support for th bloke .
Richo