By Jesse Graham
UPDATE: 10AM Monday 21 September.
A COLDSTREAM woman was killed over the weekend in a head-on crash between a motorcycle and a car in Coldstream, which police have described as an “unfortunate accident”.
Emergency services were called out to the crash on the Maroondah Highway in Coldstream, between the corner of Tarrawarra Road and St Huberts Road, at 1.29pm on Sunday, 20 September.
Yarra Ranges Highway Patrol Leading Senior Constable (LSC) Scott Lardner told the Mail that the motorcycle rider, a 40-year-old Coldstream woman, was travelling towards Lilydale when the crash occurred.
LSC Lardner said the learner rider was being followed by her fiance, a more experienced rider, when she failed to fully negotiate a corner, veering into the path of an oncoming car.
“She negotiated the majority of the corner, but it was just the little part of the bend,” he said.
“She under-steered and went into the path of the oncoming vehicle.”
He said there were no allegations of speeding and that drugs and alcohol were not factors in the crash.
“It appears, at this stage, to be a very unfortunate accident, and perhaps a lack of experience.”
The occupants of the other car, a man, a woman, and two children, were taken to hospital for observation, and the highway remained closed for about six hours as police investigated the crash.
LSC Lardner described the crash as “shocking”, and said the signed 100 km/h speed limit left little chance of survival for the rider.
“It’s a 100 kilometres an hour zone there – even if she was doing 90 and he was doing 90, you’ve still got an impact speed of 180 kilometres,” he said.
“There’s no surviving that.”
He said that Ambulance Victoria determined that, for a serious injury collision to occur with a motorcycle, the speed would only need to be over 30 km/h.
“Any higher than that, they’re experiencing some serious injuries and major broken bones,” he said.
“She’s (the rider) obviously up in that category.”
Police will now prepare an inquest brief for the Coroner about the crash.
Coldstream CFA posted a heartfelt message on its Facebook page last night, expressing sympathy for the family and friends, and all those involved with the crash, including emergency crews.
The brigade posted a link to Road Trauma Support Services Victoria, which provides counselling and support for people impacted by road trauma, and asked anyone affected by the crash to get in contact through the page or through the RTSSV.
For more information, visit www.rtssv.org.au, call 1300 367 797 or visit Coldstream CFA’s Facebook page.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who was more information, is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
UPDATE: 2.59PM Sunday 20 September
A WOMAN has been killed in a head-on crash between a motorcycle and a car in Coldstream earlier this afternoon.
Emergency services were called out to the crash, near the corner of St Huberts Road and Maroondah Highway shortly before 1.30pm on Sunday, 20 September.
A Victoria Police statement said police believe the motorcyclist may have veered onto the wrong-side of the road and crashed head-on with a car, though the circumstances are still being investigated.
The motorcycle rider, a woman who has yet to be identified, died at the scene.
Two adults and two children in the car have been taken to hospital for observation, and police are still on the scene.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who has more information, is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Traffic in and out of Healesville is expected to be significantly delayed, as the road has been closed for the past hour as emergency services interview people at the scene.
More as it comes.
UPDATE: 2.28PM Sunday 20 September
A MOTORCYCLIST has reportedly been killed in a crash in Coldstream earlier this afternoon.
Media outlets reported at about 2.20pm that a motorcyclist was killed in the crash, which occurred shortly before 1.30pm on Sunday, 20 September.
It is believed a car and a motorbike were involved in the crash.
The Mail has not been able to verify the report of the fatality, with Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police spokespeople unable to comment on the nature of the crash.
The Maroondah Highway is currently closed, as emergency services remain on the scene.
Drivers should avoid the area if possible.
More as it comes.
Earlier…
THE MAROONDAH Highway in Coldstream is closed following a serious car accident earlier this afternoon.
Emergency services were called out to the corner of St Huberts Road and Maroondah Highway at 1.29pm on Sunday, 20 September.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson told the Mail he believed a car had crashed into “a couple” of motorbikes, and that emergency services were currently on the scene.
The spokesperson was unable to comment on the condition of those involved in the crash.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said more information was coming to hand on the incident.
Those driving in and out of Healesville are advised to travel via Yarra Glen or Woori Yallock.
