By KATH GANNAWAY
POLICE say the combination of rain and oil is behind a crash on Maroondah Highway at Healesville earlier today.
A 65-year-old Eildon woman travelling towards Healesville about noon hit oil on the road as she came around a notoriously bad corner just east of the Graceburn Aqueduct, and lost control of the vehicle.
A member of Yarra Ranges High Patrol told the Mail the car went off the road and crashed into a tree.
He said neither speed nor alcohol were involved.
“In this case, it’s down to poor weather and poor road conditions,” he said.
However, emergency workers and police attending said the corner was a ‘black spot’ and expressed surprise that this crash wasn’t right on the corner.
Camber and road surface contributed to the number of crashes according to one CFA volunteer the Mail spoke to.
“When you get a job on the Spur, you can just about guarantee it will be on that corner,” the Highway Patrol officer said.
“In poor weather, even without oil, this is a black spot for crashes.
“The oil just made it worse.”
The woman was able to get herself out of the car and was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The fact that there was no traffic travelling up the Spur was a bit of luck.
One lane on the highway has been closed to traffic while the oil slick is dealt with.
The Mail has requested further information on the ‘black spot’ corner from VicRoads and will update this story when that response is available.
