Emergency services were dispatched in full force on Tuesday night to what was believed to be a plane crash, but turned out to be a car accident.
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UPDATE:
Wagga City Council General Manager Peter Thompson said at about 6.30pm staff driving a council vehicle were completing a routine inspection.
"There was a bird strike on one of the planes a short time ago and it's one of the management options we employ to try and manage bird activity," he said.
"Unfortunately, whilst doing that they have hit a drainage ditch in what is quite a significant accident on site and we did call an ambulance, fire brigade and police and there is a WorkSafe investigation occurring."
Mr Thompson said he has been advised that they were not wearing seatbelts, but the investigation is ongoing.
"Police attended the scene the driver was breath tested at the scene so we can discount that alcohol was a factor," he said.
“There is a speed limit around the airside of the passenger terminal, the maximum speed is 40km/hr.
“The information provided to me was that they weren’t exceeding that speed limit.”
Mr Thompson said it's too early to say whether staff will be reprimanded in any form.
"This is by any measure a significant incident," he said.
"In terms of when it will be completed, it may be some time depending on the WorkSafe investigation."
Mr Thompson said they will be looking into what else can be done to improve the safety of staff.
EARLIER:
Riverina Police District’s Chief Inspector Andrew Spliet said about 7.10 pm yesterday evening police were called to a paddock at the Wagga Airport.
“It appears an employee of the airport was driving a ute with four people on board,” he said.
“They were travelling along the paddock at an approximate speed of 30km/h [and] have entered a ditch propelling all the occupants forward.
“One of the males has collided heavily with the windscreen and has suffered a broken left arm as well as a broken clavicle.”
Chief Inspector Spliet said it appears at this stage that none of the occupants was wearing seatbelts at the time.
“The matter has been referred to WorkCover and is also being investigated by local police,” he said.
“The matter is still under investigation, a number of people are still being spoken to, as well as passengers, and appropriate action will be taken once all that evidence is collected.”
Chief Inspector Spliet said a bigger response team was initially deployed.
“Initially the report that came over to police and other emergency services was that it was a plane accident,” he said.
“Clearly that wasn't the case and police responded then to the motor vehicle collision.
“On the first report of it being an aeroplane crash then all appropriate resources were deployed at that time.”
The driver, 26, has minor injuries and the injured man, 34, will require some pins and surgery.
More to come.