Car smash shock

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
A HEALESVILLE couple had a rude awakening when they found their car smashed after enjoying a night walk.
The experienced walkers were enjoying the recent snowfall with friends on Mount Donna Buang on Thursday 9 June.
They had parked their car at the edge 10-mile car park near the beginning of the summit walking track at dusk.
They returned around 9.30pm to find the car pushed into an embankment and smashed on the right-hand side.
The couple were keen to thank a group of young people who stopped and came to their aid.
Shirley Allott said their first reaction was of disbelief when they reached the car.
“We walked back to the car along the road, and got back to discover it was wrecked,” she said.
“It was a problem as the car was pushed into the bank.”
Ms Allott said there was no note left, “it was a definite surprise”.
She said they parked the car out of the way at the edge of the carpark.
“We are aware that the area does have snow in winter and it’s attractive to drivers who enjoy the sensation of driving around on snow and slippery surfaces,” she said.
“But the road was quite slippery so we don’t know whether someone just slid in their car.”
Ms Allott was eager to thank a group of males who stopped to help the couple.
“This car load of young blokes turned up and one of the group had a twin-cab ute with a winch and they pulled us out of the embankment,” she said.
“We received help off some very nice young people who stopped and assisted us, and we don’t know who they were but we need to thank them.”
Everyone was able to get home, but the car was a write-off.
Ms Allott said she hoped any panel beaters in the area who come across a vehicle with suspicious damage would let the authorities know.
“We’re not into retribution, the people who did this will have to live with what they’ve done,” she said.
“The main thing is to thank the people that helped us.”
Ms Allott and her husband George Telehin, in their fifties, are experienced bush walkers who do a weekly night bush walk for enjoyment and experience.
“There were four of us, two with snow shoes and two with walking boots, and we walked to the summit through soft snow and it was beautiful, crisp, and cold with lots of snow,” she said.
Anyone with information can contact Warburton police on 5966 2006.