Several locals sprang into action to supply jacks or physically hold-up a Mitsubishi Triton ute to relieve pressure off the man trapped inside until rescuers arrived at a crash scene in Erina last week.
The collision occurred on August 28 between a small Hyundai vehicle and the Triton ute, causing it to flip and roll onto its roof.
Michael Parfitt was among the first on the scene and said emergency services were there within five minutes and the road was blocked while rescuers freed the trapped man and ambulance paramedics treated him, his passenger and the young female driver in the other vehicle.
He said NSW Fire and Rescue crews used a winch to flip the car upright again and police and tow trucks quickly cleaned up the area.
The driver of the ute was treated at the scene for his injuries including broken ribs and transported to hospital for further treatment.
Locals say that the crash site on Barralong Rd near Aston Rd has been the cause of concern for some time with multiple complaints to Central Coast Council about the obscured line of sight because of an advertising sign at the bus stop on the corner which was installed by Council in mid-2023.
Council says the bus shelter was provided in accordance with relevant legislation and Council specifications.
Officers from Council’s traffic team assessed the available sight distance at this bus stop location, and advised that when entering Barralong Rd from Aston Rd, the available sight distance was satisfactory.
Earlier this year Council made line marking improvements including the installation of Give Way signage and continuity line marking on Aston Rd, at its intersection with Barralong Rd, to further enhance safety and sight distance at the intersection.
On Tuesday, a Council spokesperson said that a recent inspection confirmed that motorists, at the Give Way restriction, had clear line of sight past the bus shelter and along Barralong Rd.