Tragic Five-Car Pile-Up Claims Life of Beloved Father

In a devastating accident near Lithgow, New South Wales’ Central West, a horrific five-car pile-up resulted in the loss of two lives. One of the victims has been identified as Jason McMahon, a 42-year-old loving father. The collision occurred on Friday and left up to 15 people injured.

Following this tragic incident, a GoFundMe page was set up late Friday night to support Jason McMahon’s fiance and children. The fundraiser aims to assist the family with funeral expenses, as they mourn the loss of a cherished son, father, and fiance. The heart-wrenching description on the GoFundMe page highlights the immense void left in the McMahon family’s life.

According to reports, Jason McMahon had been dirt biking at Sunny Corner with a family friend, Declan Jones, before the accident occurred. The two friends were heading home to west Sydney when tragedy struck. Police investigations suggest that the pile-up unfolded when a car veered onto the wrong side of the road.

On Saturday morning, investigators revealed that Jason McMahon’s eastbound Isuzu D-Max, towing a motorcycle trailer, collided with a westbound Toyota Hilux. The Toyota then struck a Hyundai Tuscan, propelling it off the highway and trapping its occupants.

In the chaos of the collision, the Isuzu collided head-on with a Kia Carnival. Additionally, a Nissan Patrol, towing a caravan, crashed into the Isuzu’s trailer. Tragically, both Jason McMahon and the 49-year-old male driver of the Kia were trapped and succumbed to their injuries at the scene.

killed two drivers, Mr McMahon and the 49-year-old male Kia driver (pictured, emergency services at the scene)” class=”blkBorder img-share” style=”max-width:100%” />

The horror crash saw at least 15 people injured and killed two drivers, Mr McMahon and the 49-year-old male Kia driver (pictured, emergency services at the scene)

The six passengers in the Kia, including five children and a 41-year-old woman, sustained injuries. Currently, a nine-year-old girl remains in critical but stable condition, while the other four are in stable condition. The adult passenger has been discharged from the hospital.

The fatal crash occurred during the Christmas/New Year’s period, a time when many people embark on holiday trips. The scene of the accident was fraught with devastation, with more than a dozen ambulance vehicles, paramedics, and SES officers providing assistance to the injured.

The impact of the collision was so severe that vehicles were left mangled, and debris, including suitcases, pillows, and dirt bikes, littered the 110km/h stretch of the Great Western Highway. One minivan was completely totaled, while another vehicle ended up in a ditch.

After extensive efforts by emergency services, the Great Western Highway has since reopened. Superintendent Paul Glinn of the New South Wales Police described the incident, stating, “It would appear that a vehicle has crossed to the incorrect side of the road.”

Mr McMahon had reportedly been dirt biking at nearby Sunny Corner with family friend Declan Jones (above)

Fire and Rescue NSW arrived at the scene to find a harrowing display of destruction. Duty Commander Phil Vaiciurgis described it as “a confronting scene of carnage.” The rescue teams, along with ambulance and volunteer associations, had to make critical decisions while triaging patients and performing two complicated rescues to extricate severely trapped individuals. Their efforts also involved providing fire protection and assisting the police and ambulance services in rendering the scene safe.

This tragic incident marks the 352nd road death in New South Wales in 2023, a staggering increase of 82 compared to the previous year. The local community, particularly the region west of the Blue Mountains, has been deeply shaken by this devastating event.