The man was travelling north on the Princes Highway at about 11.40am on Monday, March 17, when he lost control of his white Mazda sedan. The car travelled down an embankment between the left hand crash barrier and bushland on the side of the road before hitting a tree. The tree, which paramedics said was between 50-75cm in diameter, came down across the barrier and onto the highway, blocking part of the road.

Paramedics, SES and fire officers worked to free the man who was trapped inside his vehicle for 50 minutes with chest and limb injuries.

Eden SES cut the car open on the driver’s side to allow paramedics access to the injured man.

Paramedics treated the man in situ before he was taken from the crash site and transported to the waiting Snowy Hydro SouthCare helicopter which had landed at Jigamy Farm.

On Monday afternoon, paramedics reported that the man had been transferred to The Canberra Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

However the chest injuries were extensive and sadly the man died a short time later.

Officers attached to Far South Coast Local Area Command continue their investigations into the incident and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

The accident blocked both sides of the highway and traffic backed up towards Eden according to reports from those in cars at the time.