Vic: Two die in head-on crash

AAP General News (Australia)
02-16-2007
Vic: Two die in head-on crash

MELBOURNE, Feb 16 AAP - Two men died and another has been critically injured in a head-on
collision in Melbourne's south-west overnight.

Police said the accident happened on the Maltby Bypass near Werribee when a car on
the wrong side of the road collided with a Melbourne-bound vehicle about 2.45am (AEDT).

The driver and passenger in the car headed for Melbourne died.

The 19-year-old male driver of the other car was airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital
with critical head, chest and abdominal injuries.

Metropolitan Ambulance Service paramedic Alan Eade all three were trapped in the managled
wreckage.

"The first ambulance arrived to find two vehicles in city-bound lanes which had struck
each other with some astounding force," he said.

"They basically morphed together because the two struck with such incredible force."

The driver of the Melbourne-bound car was dead when paramedics arrived, Mr Eade said,
and CFA crews freed the driver of the other vehicle, who was taken by air ambulance to
hospital.

Mr Eade said emergency workers were astonished at the force of the collision.

"I thought we'd seen the end to this sort of road trauma," he said.

"Especially with all the work they've done around the Maltby bypass area to improve safety."

Mr Eade said it would take some time for crews to clear the wreckage.

"It'll take fire fighters some time to deal with that mess," he said.

VicRoads has advised that all inbound lanes of the Princes Freeway near Duncans Road are closed.

Motorists are being diverted through Werribee and advised to expect delays.

Police estimate the roads will reopen around 9am (AEDT).

Police are calling for anyone who saw the accident or a car travelling on the wrong
side of the road to contact them.

Victoria's road toll now stands at 36, the same as at this time last year.

AAP mi/it/bwl

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