SWAN Hill highway patrol are appealing for witnesses to a collision between a truck and utility that left a man with life-threatening injuries in Reedy Lake on Friday morning.
It is believed a utility was travelling south on the Murray Valley Highway when the driver collided with a north-bound LPG truck about 8.15am on a corner of the highway.
The impact forced the truck down an embankment causing the vehicle to roll onto its side.
The driver of the utility, a 59-year-old Kerang man, sustained life-threatening upper body injuries and was airlifted to The Royal Melbourne Hospital in a serious condition.
His condition improved to stable by Saturday afternoon, according to a hospital spokesperson.
The truck driver, a 63-year-old Cranbourne South man, sustained non-life-threatening upper body injuries and was taken to Bendigo Health in a stable condition.
Senior Constable Brett Moloney said it appeared the utility moved onto the centre line by about 80cm and collided with the truck.
“It looks like the truck has gone off the left side of the road after it tried to avoid the ute, but they still hit anyway,” he said.
“Then the truck has gone back on the roadway, tipped over and gone off the road through the bend.
“That’s what our preliminary investigations are leading us toward.”
Sen-Constable Moloney said blood samples would take three weeks to be analysed, while excessive speed wasn’t believed to be a factor. He said it was too early to determine if distraction played a role.
He said given the fragility of the scene with the LPG truck involved, it could have ended in disaster.
“We urge people to take their time and take care when navigating arounds bends in roads, especially if you’re not familiar with the roads,” Sen-Constable Moloney said.
The collision forced the closure of the highway in both directions between Kerang and Lake Charm for most of the day, before it was reopened then closed again on Saturday so the tanker could be removed from the scene.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage is urged to contact Swan Hill police on 5036 1600, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
