A 55-year-old man has died after his car crashed into a building in West Ballina this afternoon — the second fatal accident on the Bruxner Highway within 24 hours.

Emergency services were called to River Street, between the Ford and Nissan dealerships, just after 2.30pm (Saturday 9 August 2025) following reports of a single-vehicle crash involving a small Hyundai hatchback.

Distraught family members arrived at the scene soon after the impact, as NSW Ambulance paramedics worked to treat the driver, but he died at the scene.

It follows the death of an elderly woman in a collision between her car and a semi-trailer at Goonellabah yesterday evening.

The collision in West Ballina caused significant structural damage to the building, prompting the State Emergency Service to attend and help secure the site. 

Power to a large section of West Ballina was switched off as a safety precaution.

Officers from Richmond Police District established a crime scene and have begun inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash. 

Motorists were urged to avoid the area while the scene remained active.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Earlier Story: Elderly Woman Dies in Fatal Bruxner Highway Crash