By Callum Ludwig
A serious collision in Launching Place on Sunday 19 November required police, ambulance, CFA and SES assistance as a young man was airlifted to hospital.
Police are investigating after it is believed a white Toyota Landcruiser collided with a white Holden Colorado at the intersection of Warburton Highway and Bellbird Avenue at about 4.25pm.
The Toyota then veered across the highway into oncoming traffic, colliding with a white Mitsubishi SUV before coming to rest against a wire fence.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said paramedics responded at about 4.30pm.
“A man in his 20s was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital in a serious condition with lower body injuries.”
Police confirmed that the driver and sole occupant of the Toyota was a 25-year-old Yarra Junction man and suffered life-threatening injuries.
“The driver and sole occupant of the Holden, a 41-year-old Brunswick man was un-injured,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
“The driver of the Mitsubishi left the scene prior to police attending.”
Upper Yarra SES attended the scene alongside four CFA units from Hillcrest, Yarra Junction and Warburton.
Deputy Controller of the SES Upper Yarra Unit Hannah Brunton said when they arrived on the scene, the car was still up against the cable barrier on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
“We had to work to get the passenger side door off so that paramedics could get into assess the patient, once AV (Ambulance Victoria) were in and had the patient then we were able to utilise a local towing service to help move the car away from the barrier and work to extricate the patient,” she said.
“We commenced the extrication using our normal hydraulic tools, then worked with AV to get him out and stayed with them until he was stabilised, and then they headed off for the helicopter.”
Police detoured motorists down Bellbird Avenue while CFA assisted by screening the incident from the view of passersby.
Ms Brunton said it’s so important for people to drive safely as we head into the busiest period of the year on our roads.
“Resources aren’t infinite. if another accident comes in or we’re at another one it leaves us a bit in a bind and we have to get somebody else in to help us out,” she said.
“We really need people to be looking after themselves because we can’t be everywhere at the same time.”
The incident was considered under control at 4.41pm and deemed safe at 5.48pm.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has dashcam/CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
