One person is dead and five others injured after a horror crash in NSW’s Central West.
Emergency services rushed to Cowra – a small town about 310km west of Sydney, at about 10.40pm on Saturday following reports a minibus and an SUV had collided.
The Kia Sorento and the Toyota HiAce Minibus collided on Fitzroy Avenue causing the bus to roll onto its side, trapping six people inside.
An 84-year-old passenger died at the scene after he was thrown from the minibus during impact.
Police and paramedics worked quickly to free the driver and the remaining trapped passengers.
The driver and a 61-year-old woman were taken by helicopter to Orange Base Hospital in a serious condition.
Four other passengers suffered minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to Cowra Hospital in a stable condition for further treatment.
The Kia collided with a nearby street sign before the 32-year-old male driver fled the scene.
Police spoke with the driver, who was taken to Cowra Hospital for mandatory testing, and have since released him pending further investigation.
A crime scene was established with specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit examining the scene.
An investigation is underway into the exact circumstances surrounding the crash before a report is prepared for the Coroner.
Police are urging anyone with information or dashcam footage of the crash to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.