Queensland teenager in induced coma after fatal highway crash

The 14-year-old Queensland girl is in an induced coma after suffering head injuries and multiple fractures.

She underwent surgery again Wednesday afternoon for her injuries.

The girl was a front seat passenger in a maroon Holden Astra which collided with a semitrailer on the highway north of the Berry township about 11.45am on Tuesday.

The accident happened on a recently opened updated section of the Princes Highway about a kilometre north of the new Tindalls Lane overpass.

The girl was trapped in the vehicle for a period of time before being released by emergency services and was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being airlifted to Sydney Children’s Hospital by the ambulance rescue helicopter, in a critical condition.

The girl’s 39-year-old mother, who was driving the car, was killed in the accident as was her 12-year-old brother, who was a backseat passenger.

Police said the family was from Queensland but had South Coast links, having previously lived in the region before moving interstate some time ago.

It is understood they were travelling back to the South Coast, possibly for a holiday.

The driver of the truck, a 41-year-old man, was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for shock. He was taken to Shellharbour Hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing.

Wollongong’s Crash Investigation Unit and Shoalhaven police are investigating what caused the crash.