Meckering crash: Two truck drivers dead after fiery head-on collision on Great Eastern Highway in Wheatbelt

Two truck drivers have died after a horror head-on crash in WA’s Wheatbelt region that sparked an inferno and trapped one of the victims.

Major crash investigation officers are investigating the deadly collision, which occurred in Meckering about 6.45am on Wednesday.

A white Volvo prime mover towing a semi-trailer and a red and white Kenworth prime mover towing a semi-trailer were travelling in opposite directions when they collided on Great Eastern Highway, near Quellington Road, about 130km east of Perth.

The 56-year-old male driver of the Volvo and the 33-year-old male driver of the Kenworth were critically injured and both died at the scene.

Emergency services, including 10 career and volunteer firefighting teams alongside four paramedic crews and an emergency rescue helicopter, rushed to the scene.

Addressing the media at a press conference, Police Minister Reece Whitby described the incident as a “very serious crash”.

“First responders have attended. I understand there’s volunteer bushfire firefighters, there’s a hazard response, police and St John’s,” he said.

“There’ll obviously be a thorough investigation. It’s always something that both the government, the community generally and every single driver needs to be concerned about.”

Mr Whitby urged drivers to take personal responsibility on the roads.

“At the end of the day, you can’t have the Police Commissioner or myself doing the driving for everyone out there,” he said. “They need to take personal responsibility.

“I don’t as yet know the circumstances of this latest incident but I do know that far too often people are reckless and stupid behind the wheel.

“They continue to speed, they continue to take chances. Ultimately, your safety depends on you.

“We can enforce the law, we can have safer roads, we can have high fines.

“But whatever we do, it doesn’t count if your intent is to go out there and break the law and be an idiot.”

Mr Whitby extended his thoughts to the volunteer crews and local community members who were first on the scene.

“I’m sure it was very confronting for those people,” he said.

“Our volunteers and community members do an amazing job, and my thoughts are with those first responders who have witnessed a very serious and horrific scene.

“One of the responsibilities we have now is to make sure that anyone who needs assistance or counselling as a result gets it as well.”