An Australia Post employee has died after two cars smashed into each other at a freeway off ramp before ploughing into a business in West Perth.
Emergency services rushed to the scene after reports of a collision between a Hyundai Tuscon van — covered in a Star Track logo —and Isuzu D Max ute at the Mitchell Freeway off ramp, near Hay Street, about 7am on Monday.
The vehicles then left the road and hit the first floor of an office building on Hay Street.
The Star Track driver, a 74-year-old woman, was critically injured and died at the scene.
A 38-year-old man was taken to Royal Perth Hospital with minor injuries.
No one from the business was hurt, with employees evacuated before first responders arrived.
Shocking images of the scene show both vehicles completely mangled, with the ute sandwiched on top of the van.
Part of a bonnet can also be seen completely severed.
A crane was seen removing the vehicles about 10.30am.
The Star Track van was seen completely crumpled, with its mangled windows and doors hanging off the side of the car.
Witness Ben said he was walking to work when he heard a loud bang.
“As I was crossing the bridge … I turned around to see a car landing in the window of that building,” he said
“It was quite a loud sound … loud impact and then the sound of the second impact of it hitting the building.
“I just saw the two cars that were stuck — one in the building, one underneath.”
Ben said he rushed over the scene to see if he could help and administer first aid.
“I went over to see if I could help the drivers … (there was) no response from either,” he said.
“I came around and went from the underside and got one of the drivers out from underneath, and just helped out and administered first aid.
“I basically got (a man) out of the vehicle … I helped him out of the vehicle because we could get access to his door.”
Department of Fire and Emergency Services incident controller Gareth Deeg described the incident as a “complex situation” and said officers would be on scene until about midday.
He said WA Police were still piecing together what happened in the moments before the collision.
“Major crash are now on scene, so they’ll reconstruct the incident and they’ll work out what’s happened,” he said.
“All we do know is that the two vehicles were coming off the freeway and they’re now where they are positioned in.
“It is a complex situation when vehicles leave the road and impact other structures, so this is going to be a drawn out process.”
Mr Deeg said the structural integrity of the office building had also been impacted.
“There is going to be some structural assessments that will need to continue to be done throughout the day,” he said.
“And with our with West Perth and Perth local governments, we’ll work together to make those areas safe.”
Australia Post issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon and extended their condolences to the woman’s family.
“Australia Post is deeply saddened to confirm that a Star Track team member has tragically passed away following a serious traffic incident in West Perth this morning,” a spokesperson said.
“We are focused on supporting her family and workmates, and our thoughts and condolences are with them at this difficult time.”
Hay Street was been closed westbound at George Street but was reopened later on Monday.
Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online.
Jessica Evensen
Bethany Hiatt
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