Two men have died and several people have been injured after four cars and a bus collided on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Emergency services were called to the scene about 1:40pm following reports of a multi-vehicle crash.
NSW Ambulance paramedics treated multiple people for injuries; however, two men died at the scene.
Police said the bus driver was uninjured and there were no passengers on board at the time.
Superintendent Clayton McDonald said the investigation into the cause of the crash was ongoing.
“I’m mindful at this time the driver [and] both victims who have deceased have not been identified,” he said.
Superintendent McDonald from NSW Police said initial inquiries indicated that one car veered into oncoming traffic.
He said the crash investigation team from NSW Police had finished their investigation.
NSW Ambulance’s Superintendent Jordan Rosser said two drivers, a male and female adult, hade been taken to Royal North Shore Hospital.
Both are in a stable condition.
One of the drivers injured in the crash is a pregnant woman who sustained minor injuries.
“The hospital will continue assessment and ensure she gets any treatment she requires,” Mr Rosser said. ‘Significant congestion in the area’
Transport for NSW coordinator-general Howard Collins urged the public to avoid the area.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge has reopened, after being closed following the crash.
However, it has been advised that motorists seek an alternative route or use public transport over the bridge.
“There are diversions in place. There’s significant traffic congestion in the area,” Mr Collins said.
He said “there will be significant traffic to clear for the afternoon peak”.
At least eight ambulances and a rescue helicopter have been deployed to the scene.
The bus driver is uninjured and there were no passengers on board at the time of the crash.
Motorists are being advised to avoid the area and check Live Traffic for updates.
Speaking to media on Thursday afternoon, Acting Superintendent Clayton McDonald said emergency services had arrived on the scene following multiple calls to triple zero.
“Sadly police on scene saw a male deceased in one of the vehicles and a short time later a second male died at the scene,” he said.
“I’m mindful at this time, the driver, both victims who are deceased have not been identified.”
Asked if authorities had any insight as to what had caused the crash, the Acting Superintendent revealed police believe a vehicle travelling in the northbound lanes had suddenly veered into oncoming traffic heading southbound. Providing an update on the two people injured in the crash, NSW Ambulance Superintendent Jordan Rosser revealed one of those taken to hospital was a pregnant woman.
The Superintendent, though, was quick to offer assurances about her condition, saying she was stable and had only suffered “minor injuries”.
In a statement, NSW Police also revealed one man had been arrested in the wake of the collision for allegedly riding a motorbike through the area as investigators established a crime scene.
He was taken to Day Street Police Station and is assisting officers with their inquiries.
Acting Superintendent McDonald told media he expected the man would be charged with a number of serious driving offences.
Commuter chaos has enveloped the city in the aftermath of the collision, with traffic backed up as far as the Anzac Bridge and along the Western Distributor.
Authorities briefly opened a single northbound lane on the bridge to allow for some vehicles to cross.
However, as of 3.30pm police elected to shut off all access, instead directing commuters to “use an alternative route.”
Drivers attempting to cross the harbour are being told to use the tunnel, with some motorists also advised to take the Gladesville Bridge in order to keep traffic away from the area.
Emergency services are expected to be on site for several hours in order to investigate and begin clearing the road, meaning delays are likely to continue throughout Thursday afternoon and potentially into the evening.
At a press conference following the crash, Transport for NSW coordinator Howard Collins urged motorists to continue to avoid the area, saying “significant” congestion would remain even after authorities re-opened the bridge.
Author: VS NEWS DESK
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