A devastating crash in Sydney’s south has left multiple families mourning after three people lost their lives in a horrific late-night collision near the Captain Cook Bridge in Sans Souci. The tragic incident, which unfolded shortly after midnight, claimed the lives of Seamus Duignan, Tamati Gilbert, and a rideshare driver whose identity has not yet been publicly released.
Authorities say the deadly crash occurred on Rocky Point Road near the Georges River after a white Audi sedan allegedly travelling at extreme speed rolled over a concrete barrier and crashed onto a blue Toyota sedan below. The shocking collision has stunned the local community and sparked renewed concerns about dangerous driving, mental health crises, and the devastating consequences that can occur in moments of chaos.
According to reports, New South Wales Police had earlier responded to a home on Second Avenue in Gymea Bay at approximately 12:25 a.m. on Saturday following concerns relating to a mental health incident. Officers were reportedly attempting to conduct a welfare check involving 42-year-old Tamati Gilbert when he allegedly fled the area in the white Audi before police could speak with him.
A short time later, tragedy struck.
Investigators say Gilbert was travelling along Rocky Point Road at what police described as “considerable speeds” when the Audi lost control, rolled over the concrete median barrier, and landed on top of an oncoming Toyota sedan. The force of the collision caused catastrophic damage to both vehicles and created a horrifying scene for emergency responders and witnesses who arrived moments later.
Inside the Toyota was Seamus Duignan, a young man believed to be in his 20s, who was reportedly returning home to the Sutherland Shire after celebrating his birthday with friends. Duignan had hired an Uber rideshare service for the journey home — a decision often viewed as the safest option after a night out. Tragically, both he and the rideshare driver died at the scene alongside Gilbert.
News of Duignan’s death has deeply affected those who knew him, with loved ones now grieving the loss of a young man whose birthday celebration ended in unimaginable heartbreak. Friends and community members have begun sharing tributes and condolences, remembering him as someone whose life ended far too soon.
The rideshare driver, who was simply carrying out routine work during the overnight hours, also became an innocent victim of the violent crash. Authorities have not yet publicly released the driver’s identity, but many have expressed sympathy for the family now facing an unexpected and devastating loss.
Detective Acting Superintendent Graham Hibbs, Commander of the St George Police Area Command, described the aftermath as both “horrific and tragic.” Speaking to media following the incident, Hibbs said investigators and emergency crews were confronted with an incredibly distressing scene upon arrival.
“We really feel for the families of all three persons who were involved in this incident and their loved ones,” Hibbs said. “I don’t think there were many cars on the road at that time, and it was extremely unlucky for the people involved.”
Authorities said between 20 and 40 bystanders were already at the scene when emergency personnel arrived. Several members of the public reportedly rushed to help and attempted to extinguish a fire that broke out in the engine compartment of one of the wrecked vehicles before firefighters gained control of the situation.
Emergency crews worked through the night securing the crash scene, treating hazards, and beginning what is expected to be an extensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision. Specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit joined local police to examine evidence, reconstruct the crash, and determine all contributing factors.
Investigators are also reportedly examining whether alcohol or drugs may have played a role in the incident involving Gilbert. Toxicology testing and forensic analysis are expected to form part of the ongoing investigation.
The severity of the crash forced major road closures across the area for several hours. Rocky Point Road was shut down in both directions between Fontainebleau Street and Holt Road, while access to the Captain Cook Bridge was also blocked. Transport for NSW advised motorists to avoid the area and instead use alternate crossings, including the Princes Highway and Tom Uglys Bridge, while emergency crews remained at the scene. The roadway has since reopened.
For many across Sydney, the tragedy has become another painful reminder of how quickly lives can be lost on the road. What began as a routine police welfare response and an ordinary rideshare trip ended in a catastrophic crash that forever changed multiple families.
As loved ones mourn Seamus Duignan, the unnamed rideshare driver, and Tamati Gilbert, tributes continue to pour in from shocked community members struggling to process the devastating events that unfolded in the early hours of the morning. Family and friends are now left remembering lives cut short and grappling with the emotional aftermath of a tragedy that has shaken the wider community.
Meanwhile, police continue urging anyone with dashcam footage or information related to the crash to come forward as investigators work to establish a full timeline of events leading up to the fatal collision on Rocky Point Road.
