Man dies in horror crash

By Kath Gannaway
A HORROR head-on smash in which a man died at Coldstream last week was among a rash of road deaths which police have described as atrocious.
The 55-year-old man was killed and the drivers of the two cars were taken to hospital with serious injuries after the cars collided on Maroondah Highway, west of St Huberts Road at about 6.30pm on Tuesday (21 February).
Police the next day said 14 people had died on Victoria’s roads since 16 February.
Healesville SES controller Karen Piccone described the smash scene as “horrific”.
SES volunteers from Lilydale and Healesville worked in a very difficult situation to free the female driver of one of the vehicles, she said.
CFA units from Healesville and Coldstream assisted police at the scene.
Ms Piccone said the smash was a wake-up call after a quiet start to the year on Yarra Valley roads.
She urged drivers to concentrate and to be aware of their own driving ability and of the road and weather conditions.
The Major Collision Investigation Unit is continuing investigations into the Coldstream crash and is appealing for witnesses.
Investigators would particularly like to speak to the driver of a truck they believe may have been in the vicinity of the collision and who they say may have pulled over then continued on.
Anyone who witnessed the collision should contact the Yarra Ranges TMU on 9736 1745 or the MCIU on 9380 7298.