Between Friday evening (October 27) and Sunday afternoon (October 29), five people lost their lives in separate crashes across the state.

►About 8.20pm on Friday a 57-year-old man died after he struck a pig and crashed while riding a motorcycle west on Neilrex Road, Coolah.

►About 4.30am on Saturday (October 28), a 23-year-old man died after the utility he was driving crashed into a guard rail, before hitting a truck and another car on the Pacific Highway, Port Macquarie...full story here.

►About 5.30am on Saturday, a 68-year-old man died after the hatchback he was driving and a 4WD crashed on the M1 at West Wallsend.

►About 11.30pm on Saturday, a 23-year-old man died after the 4WD he was driving left the roadway and rolled at Millie Street, Bellata.

► About 2.15pm yesterday (Sunday 29 October 2017), a 48-year-old man died after his motorcycle crashed head-on with a 4WD on the Golden Highway Jerry Plains.

Investigations into the crashes are continuing.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith, of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, said the loss of five lives in one weekend was a tragedy and must serve as a reminder to all road users, especially motorcycle riders, to drive responsibly on our roads.

“Five people dying on our roads in the course of a single weekend, is not acceptable under any circumstances.

“Two of the people that lost their lives this weekend were motorcycle riders, and at least two other motorcycle riders were seriously injured in other crashes this weekend.”

Tragically, 46 motorcyclists have already lost their lives this year.

“Now we are coming into warmer weather we will see more motorcyclists, who are among the most vulnerable road-users, take to the roads.

“I urge all riders to take care when riding. It is important for riders to be aware of their surroundings, slow down, and ride to the conditions, in order to arrive home safely,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Smith said.