A 40-year-old truck driver has died on a roadside moments after a minor crash south of Sydney. The man had been in a small prang with another truck driver, aged 25, on the M1 at Helensburgh about 6pm on Monday. The men had escaped injury, but the incident turned deadly within minutes as three more vehicles became involved.
"As both men were exchanging particulars the older man was hit by a passing white Toyota Hiace van driven by a 28-year-old woman," NSW Police said. The 40-year-old man was killed in the second crash. Two other cars, a sedan and a station wagon, then crashed into the young woman's van. None of the surviving drivers were injured, and they were all taken to Wollongong Hospital for mandatory testing. Investigations are ongoing and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Carjackers armed with sword steal van in Queensland
A group of carjackers armed with a sword have stolen a van in Queensland. They stopped the van near the intersection of Stiller Rd and Beenleigh Rd in Kuraby between 11pm and 11.30pm on Monday. A 28-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman were inside, and the man was assaulted when two members of the group approached the van to steal the keys. The victims' white 2025 Hyundai Staria van with Queensland registration 122NV7 was driven off alongside two other vehicles. The 28-year-old man suffered minor injuries, but the woman was unharmed. Detectives are trying to determine whether the carjacking is related to other incidents in the area last night, including four people attempting to break into vehicles and a property on Outlook Pl at Kuraby, and a break-in at a home on Camaro St in Runcorn, Queensland Police said.
Gas leak prompts exclusion zone in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs
An exclusion zone has been established in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs due to a gas leak. The leak at a worksite on Edgecliff Rd in Edgecliff was reported about 10.30am on Tuesday. Edgecliff Rd is closed to traffic, with police assisting with traffic control. About 50 people have been evacuated from homes and buildings. Fire & Rescue NSW sent 24 firefighters and a special hazards team, and atmospheric monitoring is underway.
Pedestrian dies after being hit by van at Sydney intersection
An elderly pedestrian has died after being hit by a van in Sydney's north. The van was turning right when it struck an 81-year-old man at the intersection of Penshurst St and Macmahon St in North Willoughby about 11.30am on Monday. The pedestrian was treated for minor injuries and taken to Royal North Shore Hospital, where he died 10 hours later, NSW Police said on Tuesday. The driver, a 37-year-old man, was uninjured and returned a negative breath test. Investigations are ongoing.
Boy hospitalised after stabbing in Melbourne park
A 15-year-old boy has been seriously injured in a Melbourne park stabbing. The stabbing occurred during an altercation with a group of boys at a park on Sabel Dr in Cranbourne North about 3.20pm on Monday. The group fled on foot before police arrived. Ambulance Victoria transported the boy to hospital for treatment. Police are searching for the offenders.
Traffic chaos for Perth train commuters
Perth commuters are facing delays due to technical issues affecting train services. Trains on the Mandurah line were cancelled earlier on Tuesday but are now running with delays, Transperth said. Technical issues are also causing delays on the Yanchep line. "Trains will continue to run however they will not be running to the regular schedule," Transperth said. The same two services were also affected on Monday, with the issue resolved by 6.45pm.
Perth highway closed after injured girl and dead body found
The discovery of a body and an injured teen has sparked a police operation in Perth. Northbound lanes on the Albany Hwy at Cannington were closed after an injured 15-year-old girl was found about 6.25am on Tuesday. The girl was rushed to Perth Children's Hospital under sirens and lights, St John WA said. Authorities are not disclosing how the girl was injured or the extent of her injuries, but the incident is related to the discovery of a body in Bentley. Police said the dead person was located after an incident earlier on Tuesday morning. "This is a contained incident and there are no ongoing concerns for public safety," WA Police said.
Six charged as drug busts sweep Brisbane's north
Six people have been charged during a series of drug trafficking raids in Brisbane's northern suburbs. Police executed search warrants across Bald Hills, Zillmere, Carina and Stafford Heights, seizing large quantities of illicit drugs and cash since late June. The men have been cumulatively charged with 130 offences. Police allege there is no connection between the raids but said they represent "a substantial disruption to local drug supply networks and associated criminal activity."
Former student allegedly torches NSW school
A 17-year-old boy has allegedly set fire to his old school in regional NSW. The former student allegedly torched the administration block of Cowra High School on Dowll St in Cowra about 7.10pm on Monday. The blaze was contained to that section, which was extensively damaged, but other buildings were smoke damaged, NSW Police said. "The school will be closed for the day," NSW Police said. Police arrested the boy at a local home about two hours after the blaze. The former student allegedly filmed the incident and uploaded the footage to social media. He has been charged with alleged break and enter and fire offences and will face a children's court on Tuesday.
Learner driver plunges 4m into home
A learner driver behind the wheel for the first time has been in a shocking crash in Adelaide's northeast. The 27-year-old drove over the side of a driveway, plunged down a 4m embankment, and ploughed into a home on King George Ave at Athelstone about 7.40pm on Monday. Neither he nor the 58-year-old man supervising were injured. The Honda sedan came to rest over a garden bed against the bay window of the home. The front-end of the car was destroyed and has been towed, while the home escaped major damage.
Alleged ISIS bride facing terrorism charges bailed
Rayann El Houli, an alleged ISIS bride facing terrorism charges, has been freed on bail with strict conditions. The Victorian court found her risk of re-offending to be relatively low. The mother-of-four was charged with allegedly travelling to a declared conflict zone and joining the Islamic State after alleged travel to Syria with her late husband and children in 2014. The court considered allegations that El Houli showed extremist material to her young children, attempted to persuade family and friends to travel to Syria, and did not participate in a de-radicalisation program. However, the magistrate noted the alleged material dated back to 2018 and there had been no offences since she returned to the community eight months ago. El Houli will surrender her passport, observe a curfew, and cannot go within 100m of a place of worship. Her brother has put up $50,000 for the bail, which would be at risk following any breaches. El Houli is now the second alleged ISIS bride to receive bail in Australia.
