Fatal head-on collision on North West Coastal Highway injures family near Shark Bay

A tragic head-on collision on the North West Coastal Highway near Shark Bay claimed the lives of a 60-year-old grandfather and a 45-year-old driver of a Toyota LandCruiser. The grandfather’s partner, a woman in her 50s, and their 12-year-old grandson suffered life-threatening injuries and were flown to hospitals in Perth, where they remain stable. The crash halted traffic south of the Overlander for more than 24 hours, stranding tourists and freight carriers during the height of the season.

Emergency responder Sandy Winkle described the scene and assisted the victims before paramedics arrived. Investigators from the Major Crash Investigation Section are examining the circumstances surrounding the collision. As of Tuesday afternoon, authorities began reopening the highway between the Overlander and Billabong roadhouses.