Teens in comas after crash

By Kath Gannaway
Another boy, 14, received minor injuries in the crash which happened just after 5.30pm in Station Street, Wesburn.
The boys had ridden the bike from Three Bridges. None were wearing helmets.
Ambulances were rushed to the scene and intensive care paramedic Paul Rankin said the first crew arrived within seven minutes of the 000 call to find the three teenagers injured.
The bike went down an embankment and crashed into the telegraph pole with two of the boys taking the full force of the crash.
Mr Rankin said the boys suffering serious head injuries were transferred to ambulance helicopters and treated by intensive care flight paramedics as they were flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital in a critical condition.
“The 13-year-old also suffered chest injuries and a fractured leg, while the 14-year-old had chest injuries and a fractured pelvis,” he said.
With concern about the potential for brain damage, the paramedics put the boys into induced comas.
The other boy, who paramedics say was lucky to have escaped without more serious injuries, was also taken to the Children’s where he was treated for a leg injury.
Senior Constable Ben Aulich of Yarra Junction Police said the tragic outcome of the boys’ actions served as a warning to anyone about the perils of riding unlicensed and unregistered motorbikes on the roads.
He confirmed that the bike hds been stolen from a property in Three Bridges and said police were yet to speak with any of the boys.
The situation in Station Street on Wednesday has shocked not only the families of the boys involved, but local police, emergency workers and the broader community.
The Mail spoke with the family of one of the boys over the weekend and next week will look at what forces are in play that lead to this kind of tragedy.
Could it have been avoided?