The Princes Highway between Bomaderry and Berry has reopened to traffic after a fatal accident earlier today. Emergency services were called to the Princes Highway at Meroo Meadow, approximately 10km north of Nowra about 11am (Wednesday, April 29), following reports of a crash between two cars and two trucks. The driver of one of the cars - a woman aged in her 40s - was unable to be revived and died at the scene. The drivers of the two trucks and other car were uninjured and were taken to hospital for mandatory drug and alcohol testing. Officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command established a crime scene, with the Princes Highway closed in both directions for a number of hours as investigations continued into the circumstances surrounding the crash. The highway reopened just after 4pm. Earlier 1.49pm: One person is dead and the Princes Highway is closed after two trucks and two cars collided at Meroo Meadow at about 10.45 Wednesday morning. The drivers of three of the vehicles were uninjured, however the middle aged female driver of one car died at the scene, just north of the former Meroo Meadow School, between Boxsells and Devitts lanes The highway is expected to remain closed in both directions for several hours. The Police Crash Investigation Unit is en route from Wollongong to try to ascertain the cause of the collision, which occurred on a new section of the highway upgrade. Diversions are in place. Motorists will have to travel via Gerringong, while those travelling north are being diverted at Bolong Road at Bomaderry and the Cambewarra/Moss Vale road /Princes Highway roundabout. The three uninjured drivers have been taken to Shoalhaven Hospital for mandatory drug and alcohol testing. Nowra Police Inspector Dave Cockram said the crash site is close to a similar accident late last year where two truck collided head on. "I don't think anyone was injured in that accident," he said. "But we have had a numbered of incidents on this stretch of road." Insp Cockram said extensive roadworks are being undertaken in the area as part of the Princes Highway upgrade. Read more: "Our investigations into the cause of the accident continue," he said. "We can't determine if drugs or speed were related to the accident. "I can't really comment on the exact circumstances of the accident until we complete our inquiries." Insp Cockram praised a nurse who was travelling to work and stopped and rendered assistance to those in the crash. "A number of roadworkers at the location also assisted those involved, which is great to see," he said. Insp. Cockram said despite roadworks being carried out in the area, the message to road users was the same as statewide for every road - "Drive to conditions, manage fatigue, don't speed, be mindful of not being distracted while driving and basically getting to where you want to be safely, so your family isn't confronted with the situation several families are confronted with today." Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.
