Personalise the news and
stay in the know
Emergency
Backstory
Newsletters
中文新闻
BERITA BAHASA INDONESIA
TOK PISIN
Find any issues using dark mode? Please let us know
ABC Illawarra
Topic:Road Accidents and Incidents
Emergency service crews at the scene of a multi-vehicle crash at Cataract, north of Wollongong. (ABC News)
More than a dozen people have been assessed by paramedics after a truck collided with multiple cars at a major road connecting Wollongong and south-west Sydney.
Chief Inspector Norm Rees from NSW Ambulance said the crash occurred on Picton Road near Cataract, north of Wollongong, about midday on Wednesday, when a man driving a four-wheel drive veered onto the wrong side of the road in what appears to have been a medical episode.
More than a dozen people have been treated by paramedics north of Wollongong. (ABC Penny Burfitt)
A semi-trailer travelling in the opposite direction attempted to avoid the car but clipped it and hit a guard rail, jackknifing across the busy arterial road and colliding with five cars in total.
Thirteen people were assessed by paramedics at the scene, with five transported to hospital.
Inspector Rees said a 38-year-old male driver of one of the cars was the most seriously injured. 
"The most serious was a male transported to Liverpool Hospital by air, and four other patients transported to Wollongong Hospital by road," he said.
"Considering the size of the scene and the number of people involved … it's been a very lucky escape for all involved to come out with the injuries that they have."
The male truck driver has been freed from the wreckage without injury by Fire and Rescue NSW and has been taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
Meanwhile, specialist fire trucks are working to contain about 100 litres of spilled diesel.
Superintendent Adam Dewberry said the fuel was not a threat to vehicles.
"Rural Fire Service are providing fire protection," Mr Dewberry said.
Emergency services at the scene near Cataract. (ABC News: Penny Burfitt)
The road was closed in both directions.
Acting Inspector Owen Barnes from Wollongong Police said enquiries were ongoing into the cause of the accident.
"At this stage, we have spoken to a number of people at the scene," he said.
"We still have a number of people we want to speak to."
He has urged drivers on the road to drive cautiously and get to their destination safely during the holiday period.
Topic:Weather
Topic:Funerals and Memorial Services
Topic:Explainer
Topic:Missing Person
Topic:Immigration
Topic:Weather
Topic:Missing Person
Topic:Immigration
Road Accidents and Incidents
Thirroul
Wollongong
Topic:Weather
Topic:Funerals and Memorial Services
Topic:Explainer
Topic:Missing Person
Topic:Immigration
Topic:Crime
Topic:Weather
Topic:Food Safety
Topic:Immigration
Your home of Australian stories, conversations and events that shape our nation.
This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced.
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work.
Sign up to get the latest on your favourite topics from the ABC

source