A man in his 80s has died in a head-on collision on a notorious section of the Princes Highway on the NSW South Coast.
Police say two vehicles collided near the Fishermans Paradise Road, Lake Conjola, in area where a much-needed road upgrade was promised five years ago after a crash that left Home and Away actress Jessica Falkholt dead.
The elderly man was trapped in the wreckage of his car and died later in hospital.
The 23-year-old female driver of the second vehicle was airlifted to hospital in a serious condition.
The accident site is just south of the Bendalong turn off where five people died in a head-on collision on Boxing Day 2017.
That fiery crash resulted in the death of Home and Away actress Jessica Falkholt, along with her sister and both parents, as well as the 50-year-old driver of the other car.
Crash site due for upgrade
Afterwards, the NSW government pledged nearly a billion dollars to build a dual carriageway from Nowra to Ulladulla, backed by $400 million from the federal Coalition government.
NSW Liberal MP Shelley Hancock said at the time the additional federal funds would "turbo-charge" the upgrades program and "strengthens our ability to build this vital upgrade now", but the upgrade is yet to happen.
NSW Kiama MP Gareth Ward says both major parties in NSW have committed to upgrading the section of road.
"The news is devastating to all involved," Mr Ward said.
"My understanding is these were promises mirrored by both sides.
"I think we need to make sure that as part of the review of infrastructure that the federal government have announced this isn't a project that is cut."
