Three people have died following a crash on Kings Highway in Monga, an hour south-east of Queanbeyan, after emergency services were called about 5.10pm on Monday 9 March 2026.Officers from Monaro Police District found two Hyundai hatchbacks had collided head-on.
The driver and two passengers in one vehicle died at the scene and remain yet to be formally identified.Another passenger from that same vehicle was flown to hospital in critical condition.The driver and passenger of the other vehicle were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for serious injuries and transported to hospital.
The highway was closed in both directions east of Braidwood near Tudor Valley Road and at Clyde Mountain Road. Authorities urged drivers to avoid the area while investigations commenced.
The Kings Highway has long carried a reputation as one of NSW's more hazardous routes.The road is often busy on weekends, particularly during summer, and experiences a high number of car crashes, on occasions averaging around one every three days.Fatalities on the road peaked in 2004 with six killed and again in 2008 with five, prompting a formal safety review in 2012 after another fatal crash near Braidwood.
The road itself presents inherent challenges.It is a two-way single carriageway highway that traverses mainly undulating country, except for sections crossing the coastal escarpment. These design features, combined with high seasonal traffic volumes, have made head-on collisions a persistent concern for authorities and road users alike.
A crime scene has been established and investigations have commenced. Police investigation of fatal crashes typically determines whether driver error, road conditions, or vehicle factors contributed to the collision. Authorities appeal to anyone with dashcam footage or information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.