SANS SOUCI, New South Wales — Family members, friends, and members of the Sydney community are mourning the tragic death of Tamati Gilbert following a devastating multi-vehicle crash in Sans Souci during the early hours of Friday, May 22, 2026. Authorities confirmed that the fatal collision occurred on Rocky Point Road in Sydney’s south shortly after 12:35 a.m., resulting in the deaths of three people and prompting a major police investigation.
According to New South Wales Police, 42-year-old Tamati Gilbert was driving an Audi sedan when the vehicle reportedly crossed onto the wrong side of the roadway before colliding head-on with a Toyota Camry operating as an Uber vehicle. The violent impact caused catastrophic damage, with the Audi reportedly flipping and landing on top of the Camry before one of the vehicles caught fire.
Emergency services, including firefighters, paramedics, and police officers, rushed to the scene along Rocky Point Road near Sans Souci shortly after multiple witnesses reported the horrific crash. Despite emergency response efforts, Tamati Gilbert, the Uber driver, and passenger Seanus Duignan were all pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities later confirmed the identities of the victims as investigations continued throughout Friday and into Saturday morning, May 23, 2026.
Police stated that officers had earlier responded to a welfare check involving Tamati Gilbert at a residence in Gymea Bay at approximately 12:25 a.m. Authorities allege that Gilbert drove away from the location shortly before the fatal collision occurred roughly ten minutes later. Crash Investigation Unit detectives are now working to determine the exact sequence of events leading up to the tragedy, including whether excessive speed, impairment, or other contributing factors played a role.
The devastating crash scene left nearby residents and motorists shaken. Witnesses described hearing a massive impact before rushing toward the wreckage carrying fire extinguishers in an effort to help those trapped inside the burning vehicles. Police described the scene as “horrific,” noting that between 20 and 40 people were nearby when the collision occurred.
As news of Tamati Gilbert’s death spread across Australia on Saturday, May 23, 2026, tributes and condolences quickly appeared online. Friends and loved ones remembered him as someone whose presence impacted many people throughout the community. Emotional messages shared across social media reflected the heartbreak felt by family members and friends struggling to process the sudden tragedy.
The crash also left the family of 28-year-old passenger Seanus Duignan devastated. According to reports, Duignan had hired the Uber following a concert celebrating his birthday before the fatal collision occurred. His family later publicly called for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Rocky Point Road remained closed for several hours throughout Friday morning while crash reconstruction specialists documented the scene and removed debris from the roadway. The road was eventually reopened later in the day as investigators continued gathering evidence and reviewing witness statements.
As of Saturday, May 23, 2026, New South Wales Police confirmed the investigation remains active and ongoing. Funeral and memorial service details for Tamati Gilbert had not yet been publicly announced. Family members and loved ones continue mourning the heartbreaking loss while receiving support from the wider Sydney community during this difficult time.
