Pilbara truck crash: Three dead after truck and car collide on Great Northern Highway near Karijini turn-off

Three people are dead after a prime mover carrying a “significant quantity” of ammonium nitrate and a car collided on a remote stretch of road in the Pilbara, leaving both vehicles “incinerated”. The crash involving a Kenworth prime mover towing two trailers and another vehicle, which is yet to be identified, happened on Great Northern Highway near the turn-off to Munjina Gorge in Karijini about 3.30pm on Tuesday. “A fire started as a result of the crash, incinerating both vehicles,” a police spokeswoman said. “It is not believed there are any survivors of the crash at this time.” Initial information to police suggests there was one person in the truck and two people in the car at the time of the crash. However, given the nature of the fire and the ongoing hazardous material risk, police have not been able to approach the vehicles to confirm. Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the crash was a “tragedy”. The incident triggered a HAZMAT warning, with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services confirming the truck that caught fire had been carrying “hazardous materials”. A DFES spokeswoman said the truck was believed to have been carrying a significant quantity of ammonium nitrate and the radiant heat from the fire prevented firefighters from approaching the scene overnight. “Crews are undertaking a further assessment this morning,” she said on Wednesday. “A 2km exclusion zone was established yesterday and remains in place for the safety of the public and emergency services personnel. “Department of Fire and Emergency Services officers and volunteer firefighters are at the scene, and the State Emergency Service have been deployed to assist with welfare.” Police, including officers from the major crash unit, will attend the scene and investigate the circumstances of the crash once the area has been deemed safe by DFES. A HAZMAT warning remained in place on Wednesday morning for the crash zone in the area of Karijini and the Shire of Ashburton. The crash site is about 20km south of the Auski Roadhouse, where there are around 20 trucks stranded, unable to travel any further south. It is understood it could be up to two days before the area is deemed safe enough to open the highway. People have been advised to stay away from the area. Anyone already in the area should seek advice from emergency services personnel. Great Northern Highway is closed between Nanutarra Munjina Road and Karijini Drive. Main Roads WA warned the road would be closed for an extended period of time. Anyone with information regarding the crash should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online. Dash-cam or mobile phone vision relating to this crash can be uploaded directly to investigators via the link below: https://wapf.au.evidence.com/axon/citizen/public/fatalcrashgreatnorthernhighwaykarijini