Danni Elbealy’s sister Cherie remains in a serious condition in a Royal North Shore Hospital after the February 1 smash at the intersection of John Renshaw Drive and Averys Lane.

Danni’s partner, Mat Valenti, explained that Cherie had stopped to turn onto Averys Lane, where the couple live, when another vehicle ran into the back of her. 

“There’s no turning lanes, the speed is 90kph, it’s on a crest and around a bit of a corner,” Mr Valenti explained. 

“It’s really dangerous.”

It took Cessnock Volunteer Rescue Association services three hours to extract Cherie from the twisted wreck of her car.

She has since undergone three surgeries, including a series of skin grafts on her legs.

Her condition has stabilised after initial fears she could lose a leg.

Her sister said “it’s hard to believe she is still alive and here with us today”. 

“If there was anyone else in that car, they wouldn’t have survived,” Danni said. 

The family are now looking to lobby Roads and Maritime Services to make some urgent changes to the stretch of road at Buchanan.  

“We’re hoping to get something changed, either turning lanes or a speed reduction – everyone flies through there,” Mr Valenti said. 

“The whole street is pretty keen on doing something. A lot of young families have moved here over the last 12 months and they’re pretty worried about it.” 

Danni added that were multiple families living along Averys Lane who had children with disabilities, meaning there was a steady stream of support taxis entering the road from John Renshaw Drive. 

A $1.17m upgrade, funded by the State government, kicked off last year 250m west of the Averys Lane intersection. Work included widening the road, improving the surface and installing median and roadside safety barriers. The development came after a spate of accidents on the road. 

The couple hope that similar safety work can now take place at their intersection before another accident 

“We need something done before someone dies there,” Danni said.