More chilling details have emerged of the horrific rollover in WA’s south-west on the weekend which could so easily have claimed the lives of two elderly caravanners.
7News is reporting that two heroic local police officers almost certainly prevented a tragic outcome by pulling the trapped couple from the burning wreckage.
A man in his 80s is still being treated for serious facial burns in Perth’s Fiona Stanley Hospital after the accident on the South Western Highway near the town of Harvey.
His passenger, a woman also in her 80s, required hospital treatment but – miraculously – suffered only minor injuries.
“But for the swift action of two Harvey Police Officers, freeing two trapped occupants from a burning car, the outcome would have been unimaginable,” Yarloop Police told 7News. “A further huge thanks to fire crews from Harvey/Waroona, SES, SJA and those selfless members of the community who assisted.”
7News reports that the man apparently lost control of the caravan he was towing as he went around a bend on the highway on Saturday morning,
The car careered onto its side and caught alight, the fierce heat warping metal. Debris and smashed belongings lay strewn across the road as the van was obliterated by the impact.
Locals told 7News the stretch of road can be dangerous and encouraged motorists to drive safe in the area.
Well Done and my hat goes off to the Officers ♂️♂️
I hope I wont still be driving when I am plus 80 years of age. Although I am a former army and police trained driver, I will admit, even now in my early 60’s I am making mistakes, and I intend to give away driving by the time I turn 80. From a police trained drivers perspective, I feel, your awareness is just not there, as you age, and can make some serious bad judgement calls. I hope this man whilst he is healing in hospital seriously thinks about his future as an elderly driver, and what harm he can do to himself and others. Inspection of a drivers capability should be done to all drivers aged from 75 on, and also every year. Then we may see less of this accidents in the future..
Ric – I agree with your comments completely. I started caravanning at the age of 50 & finished at 65. Reaction times, awareness, decisions etc. all change with age, and not for the better. Some will talk about experience & I understand that line, but age is a contributing factor to road accidents, especially when towing caravans. Medical tests at age 75 are not sufficient – driving tests need to be mandatory after age 75.
Yep..yre right Ric…if I’m around that long I’ll be satisfied with my travels the length n breath of our great country.
I remember when I was late fifties…most of the feed back I heard was “don’t leave it too late”
I realise a lot of people’s lifestyles don’t allow for this to occur.
I’m fortunate enough to now…at 70 to still feel there’s a lot left in my tank..
BUT.. if I do get to the 80’s the Van will be sold..
I’ll still try n play Golf.. but maybe bowls..?
But really…by then..time to merge into the slower lane n be content to smell the roses keep in tune with nature and surrounds..and let nature take its course…!
It amazes me that you can just hitch up a Caravan and Car and drive off no matter what the total length of the Car, Drawbar or Caravan is usually with no previous experience. We are purchasing a Motorhome but have to have a get a Medium Rigid Licence to Drive it and have to do a Full Day Course with a Driving Test at the end of the day before we can take it out on the Road. Common Sense says that surely you need to at least do a test before towing a Caravan considering the length is the equivalent to a long truck but nope just hop in and go…..
You are making a lot of presumptions here. How do you know that they havent been towing for years and be highly experienced caravan owners?
Patently obvious to a reasonable person that there needs to be a training and licence endorsement category to tow anything over 50% gross of the towing vehicle’s weight.
Here’s two matters in the one newsletter. It is horrific what you see on the road – “she’ll be ok, mate”.