A SINGLE vehicle accident brought traffic to a halt on Bolivia Hill, south of Tenterfield on Wednesday, after a male driver veered into a rock wall on the notorious stretch.
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NSW Police Media said an elderly male, the single occupant of the car, was treated at the scene and refused to be taken to hospital.
The crash occurred less than 50 metres from where a number of fatalities had occurred in the last few years.
Within the past five-years, 76-year-old Fred Le Roux and 21-year-old Luke Rushton were both killed in separate incidents within a throwing distance of the latest close call.
Police at the scene said they suspected it was fatigue rather than road concerns that led to the man ploughing into the cliff face.
Luke’s grandmother, Marie Rushton, said she had received a call from a friend who had driven past the incident and feared the worst.
“I hadn’t been up there for three months but went last week to change flowers,” Ms Rushton said.
“I was with a friend and had to say to him we have to go I have a horrible feeling.
“I had a premonition – I don’t know I can’t really explain it. I just said to him I want to get the hell out of here.”
After continued pressure the Federal Government has committed funds to realigning sections of the New England Hwy at Bolivia Hill.
A preferred option was decided upon in September 2013 with Roads and Maritime Services narrowing the routes down to a $60 million shortlisted option.
The $2.7 million study to identify the preferred route was funded in full by the Federal Government.
Late last year the project took a step forward with a Sydney based firm awarded the development contract.
