A 16-year-old boy has died and a horse has been euthanised following a multi-vehicle collision involving a horse truck, a tractor, and a semi-trailer on the Kamilaroi Highway on Sunday afternoon.
The highway was closed for 17 hours as emergency services responded to the incident, which occurred shortly before 3 pm.
The teenager was a passenger in the horse truck. Despite treatment from a passer-by and NSW Ambulance paramedics, he died at the scene.
The 38-year-old man driving the horse truck was transported to hospital in a stable condition.
The drivers of the tractor and semi-trailer, aged 66 and 33 respectively, were uninjured.
All three drivers underwent mandatory testing. Three other horses travelling in the truck required veterinary treatment for their injuries.
Police Appeal for Witnesses
Officers from the Peel Traffic and Highway Patrol have commenced an investigation into the circumstances of the crash and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Police are particularly seeking to speak with a male passer-by who provided first aid to the teenager before paramedics arrived.
Acting Inspector Carter Knyvett also urged drivers to exercise extra caution on regional roads during the current harvest season, noting the increased presence of large agricultural vehicles.
More to come…