Seven die on NSW roads in 24 hours

Seven people, including a couple and their five-month-old baby, have died in two
horrific crashes on NSW roads, in a day police describe as "sickening".
The fatalities have brought the state's 2009 road toll to 306.
The horror 24 hours began when a truck crashed into a car parked behind another
vehicle on the F3, on the Central Coast, at about 10.50pm (AEST) on Thursday.
Police said a 27-year-old woman, a 32-year-old man and their five-month-old baby
were killed in the crash, which incinerated their car.
The truck driver has been discharged from hospital after being treated for shock,
while the driver of the second car was taken to Gosford Hospital for treatment.
Traffic Services Commander Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the truck driver
could not avoid the parked cars and police were investigating why the vehicles were
stationary.
"We don't know why the vehicle stopped on a major carriageway ... why they did not
pull to the side of the road. We just don't know at this stage," Mr Hartley told
AAP.
Less than 12 hours later, with police still at the scene of the F3 crash, three
people were killed in a multi-vehicle crash at Narrabri, in northern NSW.
A fourth person died in hospital as a result of the high-speed smash.
Mr Hartley said an interstate driver and his two passengers were killed when their
car, which was speeding on the wrong side of the road, clipped a campervan and
crashed into a small four-wheel drive.
The driver of the four-wheel-drive died in Narrabri Hospital, while five other
people were injured.
Three of the injured, two of whom are in critical condition, were taken to Tamworth
Hospital with serious injuries.
The remaining two patients are in Narrabri Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Meanwhile, another person is feared dead after a car crashed into the Darling River
at Bourke, in northern NSW, about 6.45am on Friday.
Police said witnesses saw the car leave the road at Sturt Street, Bourke, crash
through two barriers and into the river.
Police divers were heading from Sydney to Bourke. The car, believed to be carrying
just one person, was still underwater, a police spokeswoman said.
Mr Hartley said it was one of the worst days on NSW roads in his memory.
"To me personally, (it's) sickening," he told AAP.
"It's been a horrific day on our roads."
He said drivers should not get behind the wheel when they are tired and should avoid
driving on unfamiliar roads.
"Certainly, if you stick to the road rules and the conditions you should get there
safely."
Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said his heart went out to the families of the
victims.
"To have that many people killed in such a short period is a shocking reminder to us
all of the need to remain focused behind the wheel and obey the road rules," Mr
Scipione said in a statement.
"I would implore all motorists to heed the road safety messages and drive to the
conditions.
"I speak not only as the commissioner of police but as a parent and a member of our
community - please do everything you can to stay safe and keep others safe on our
roads."