A 25-year-old man was killed in a fatal crash on Coral Bay Road on Sunday, prompting calls for the road to be widened and tourists to exercise caution when driving to the popular tourist destination.
The accident occurred when the man’s Toyota Hilux collided with a white Volkswagen sedan near the Minilya-Exmouth Road turn-off.
The victim was taken to the Coral Bay Nursing Post but died from critical injuries. The 50-year-old woman driving the Volkswagen suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment.
Caravan park manager Jacqui Price described the road as “unsafe” and “very narrow and winding,” citing the high volume of caravans, boats, and international visitors who may not be familiar with the local roads.
This incident follows a similar crash last month, in which a 25-year-old woman was airlifted to hospital, and another fatal crash on Minilya-Exmouth Road in October last year.
With the winter months approaching, Ms. Price warned that the road would be used by hundreds of people daily, and urged tourists to take their time and drive carefully.
“People can get tired after traveling long distances; just be alert,” she said. “There’s also a lot of wildlife out on the road and big trucks. So just slow down and be safe.”
Main Roads WA has been contacted for comment on potential upgrades to Coral Bay Road.
In the meantime, tourists are advised to exercise extreme caution when driving to Coral Bay, and to be aware of the road conditions and potential hazards.