A PORT MacDonnell woman has died following a serious two-car head-on crash on the Riddoch Highway near Coonawarra on Sunday afternoon.
Police responded to reports of a two-car crash around 3.50pm on the Riddoch Highway near Rocky Castle Road.
Paramedics and Country Fire Service volunteers also responded to the scene to find two people trapped in separate vehicles.
The driver of a Toyota hatchback, a 73-year-old woman, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the other car sustained leg injuries and was taken to the Mount Gambier Hospital for treatment.
A boy who was a passenger in the car was also taken to Mount Gambier hospital for observation, but was not injured.
The fatal crash comes two weeks after the police launched Operation Riddoch – which will have a specific focus on road safety along the major highway until January.
Mount Gambier Police highway patrol Sergeant Paul Watts said the crash was tragic and police would continue to monitor driver behaviour in the South East.
“With an increase in traffic movement on the highways during the school holiday period I plead for all motorists to drive carefully and make sound decisions,” Sgt Watts said.
“Avoid driving if you have consumed drugs or alcohol, avoid driving if fatigued and avoid taking unnecessary risks.
“Police will continue to display a highly visible presence on the Riddoch Highway and other roads throughout the Limestone Coast to assist in prevention of serious injury and fatality crashes.”
The Riddoch Highway was reopened to all traffic at around 2.30am Monday morning.
The State’s Road toll now stands at 55 compared to 75 at the same time last year.
