Police say a surprise huntsman spider was the reason behind a multi-car pile-up in Blaxland, which saw five adults and two children taken to hospital on Sunday morning [February 5].
Create a free account to read this article
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Four cars were involved in the crash at the intersection of Leyton Avenue and the Great Western Highway.
The spider fell from the interior roof onto a 65-year old Fairfield male driver causing his car to swerve into the westbound lane of the highway colliding with a car being driven by a 39-year-old Winmalee man. That car then spun out of control hitting two other cars.
NSW Ambulance paramedics treated 11 people at the scene.
Police initially reported three adults had been taken to Westmead Hospital in a serious condition, but a hospital spokeswoman has since confirmed that just one female was admitted in a serious condition.
Four adults were taken to Nepean Hospital with minor injuries, including two women aged 32 and 33, and two males, both 37. Two children were taken to Westmead Children's Hospital, and were discharged later on Sunday afternoon. Those who were taken to hospital had suffered a variety of chest, neck, leg and hand injuries.
The Great Western Highway reopened in both directions at 4.15pm.
In other police news, walkers and bike riders are being warned to pack adequate water supplies after an 89-year-old Randwick man was found dead on The Oaks Fire Trail at Woodford.
About 9.30am on Tuesday January 31 the man was found dead next to The Wheel Dam Fire Storage.
“He had been bike riding the trail when it would appear that he has suffered from heat exhaustion and collapsed and died at the location,” Inspector Adam Evans told the Gazette.
“It's a timely reminder to have adequate water supplies … and to consider whether to embark on strenuous activity during extreme weather.”
Meanwhile Norton Avenue in Springwood was the scene of a drug bust last week.
Police issued a search warrant at 5.30pm on Tuesday January 31 after receiving information that the location was being used to allegedly grow cannabis plants.
Police say a 33-year-old Bankstown male was found at the house and three rooms were filled with cannabis plants under heat lamps.
Police also observed a sophisticated electrical wiring system and irrigation set up. Also scattered throughout the premises were a large amount of pot plants containing previously harvested plants.
A total of 40 cannabis plants were allegedly seized from the house along with drug paraphernalia.
