South Australia has recorded two road deaths and a serious multi-injury crash within the first days of 2026, following a sobering weekend on regional roads.
The first fatality of the year occurred on Friday the 2nd of January in the Hills Fleurieu. Emergency services were called to Cole Road at Delamere about 4.30pm after reports of a single motorcycle crash.
The rider, a 49-year-old man from Lyndoch, died at the scene. Major Crash investigators examined the site, with police now appealing for witnesses or dashcam footage of a black CFMOTO motorcycle travelling in the area prior to the crash.
Less than 24 hours later, a 33-year-old man from Hilton died following a crash on the Eyre Highway. Police say the vehicle had earlier been reported stolen in Port Augusta and was being tracked by PolAir when it crashed near Kimba.
The incident is being investigated as a death in custody, with Major Crash officers appealing for dashcam footage from motorists travelling on the Eyre Highway that afternoon.
Closer to home, three people remain in hospital following a serious two-car crash at Blanchetown on Saturday afternoon.
Police and emergency services were called to Murraylands Road just before 4pm after a Ford ute and a Mitsubishi sedan collided.
A 69-year-old local man and an 18-year-old local woman were airlifted to Adelaide for treatment, while two teenage passengers from the Mitsubishi were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Murraylands Road was closed for several hours during the investigation. Police are urging anyone who witnessed the crash and has not yet spoken to officers to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
