Posted Wed 5 Aug 2026 at 4:55pm
Wed 5 Aug 2026 at 4:55pm
Crash investigators remain at the scene. (ABC News)
In short:
A critical incident investigation is underway into a fatal crash near police vehicles using lights and sirens in Sydney's south-west.
Police say a driver, travelling about 50 metres in front of two responding vehicles, crashed into a truck near Appin.
What's next?
An investigation into the incident will be reviewed by two police and government agencies.
A driver has died after veering into the path of a cement truck as police vehicles using lights and sirens approached from behind.
A critical incident investigation is underway into the fatal crash in Sydney's south-west.
Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden said officers were responding to an urgent, unrelated incident near Appin, north-west of Wollongong, around 10am today.
"This was a job with a male armed with a knife in a domestic situation," he said.
A hatchback, driven by a 39-year-old man, was travelling about 50 metres in front of the two police vehicles on a flat stretch of Appin Road.
Assistant Commissioner McFadden said dash-cam vision showed the hatchback swerve onto the wrong side of the road and collide with an oncoming truck.
The driver of the car died at the scene and has yet to be formally identified.
The truck driver suffered only minor injuries, including shock, and was taken to Campbelltown Hospital for mandatory testing.
Appin Road is a busy thoroughfare connecting Wollongong to south-west Sydney. (ABC News)
"I have viewed the video footage from the cement truck which depicts the crash," Assistant Commissioner McFadden said.
"It clearly shows the proximity of police vehicles.
"It also clearly shows the path taken by the vehicle into the front of the cement truck."
Assistant Commissioner McFadden said there was "no indication" the hatchback driver panicked as the police cars approached.
"The circumstances as to why that path was taken is subject to our investigation," he said.
"Police had been operating with lights and sirens for some time."
Brett McFadden says he is confident in the actions of police. (Supplied)
Assistant Commissioner McFadden said officers travelling behind the hatchback "pivoted" to render assistance to those involved in the crash.
"A tragic set of circumstances has unfolded immediately in front of them [police]," he said.
"I want to make it clear that the vehicle that crossed onto the incorrect side of the road was not subject to inquiry, investigation or any attempt by the police responding to the job at Appin.
"In the normal course of business, they would have safely negotiated around that vehicle and continued on their way to the priority job."
Appin Road remains closed in both directions and is due to reopen later today.
