A midnight collision on the Monaro Highway has claimed one life and left a second driver unaccounted for, prompting a major police response in the Snowy Mountains region of New South Wales.
Emergency services were called to the highway at Colinton at approximately 12.15am on Sunday after reports of a head-on collision between two vehicles. Officers arrived to find one driver had died at the scene. That person has not yet been formally identified.
The driver of the second vehicle has not been located, and police are continuing efforts to find them. A crime scene has been established as investigators work to piece together the circumstances leading up to the crash.
As of Sunday afternoon, the Monaro Highway remains closed in both directions between Old Cooma Road and Yareen Road. Motorists travelling in the region are being urged to avoid the area, postpone any non-essential travel, and use alternative routes where possible.
The Monaro Highway is a key arterial route connecting Canberra to the NSW South Coast and the Snowy Mountains. Closures on the corridor can affect freight movements and tourists, particularly during peak holiday periods.
Police are appealing to the public for assistance. Anyone who witnessed the collision, was travelling in the area around midnight, or has dashcam footage from the Colinton stretch of the highway is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers with any relevant information.
The NSW Police Force has not yet released further details about the identities of those involved or the vehicles concerned. The investigation is ongoing.
Drivers planning to use the Monaro Highway are advised to check live traffic updates through Live Traffic NSW before travelling, as conditions and road closures may change.