NSW Police have raided a trucking company involved in Monday's fiery crash on the M1 at Cooranbong that killed one truck driver.
Three trucks including an ethanol tanker collided in the crash, causing a large explosion that destroyed the two semi-trailers and B-double tanker along with a car, and also started a bushfire. Three other drivers escaped unhurt or with minor injuries.
Police believe the truck carrying the 50-year-old male driver who died was the vehicle at fault, and after inspecting 16 vehicles of the company responsible on Wednesday morning, issued five minor defect notices and a major defect notice for an inoperable seat belt.
They also found one driver was operating despite having a cancelled licence, while another driver had his driving privileges withdrawn based on other traffic offences.
The crash was one of three fatalities involving trucks on NSW roads within a 24-hour period, including a seven-vehicle pile-up at Dubbo on Tuesday that saw 10 people injured and two killed.
NSW Traffic & Highway Patrol Command Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said recent fatalities involving heavy vehicles should be a wake-up call for trucking companies and drivers.
"To have a double fatality [on Tuesday] at Dubbo involving a heavy vehicle, and another three fatalities involving trucks the day before, calls for not only a focus by the Joint Traffic Taskforce, but also the industry," he said.
"Not only should those trucks and trailers be roadworthy, drivers should be fit and able to drive on our roads in accordance with fatigue management practices."
