CARWARP, Australia — Tragedy struck Victoria’s Calder Highway early Tuesday as a devastating minibus accident resulted in the deaths of two individuals and left nine others injured. This serious incident occurred when the bus rolled onto its side and collided with a tree near Carwarp in northeastern Victoria around 7:45 a.m.
Emergency squads, including ambulance services, responded swiftly to the scene. Ambulance Victoria deployed an air ambulance helicopter along with advanced life support and mobile intensive care paramedics to provide urgent assistance to the victims.
Tragically, upon their arrival, two passengers were found deceased. A critically injured passenger was airlifted to a hospital in Melbourne as the urgency of their condition required immediate advanced medical care.
The driver, who was critically hurt in the mishap, was transported to the hospital together with the remaining seven passengers. Medical reports indicate that three of these individuals sustained serious injuries, whereas the remaining four are under medical observation, awaiting further assessment of their conditions.
The Calder Highway, a vital transport link in the region stretching from the NSW border near Mildura through Bendigo to Melbourne, was closed for several hours between Kulkyn Way and Brownport Road. This incident not only disrupted local but also interstate transit, highlighting the highway’s role as a major truck route in northwestern Victoria.
Authorities have begun a thorough investigation to determine the factors contributing to the accident. Officers were actively collecting evidence at the crash site, and nearby security and dashcam footage is being examined to piece together the sequence of events leading to this tragic occurrence.
Victoria Police have appealed to the public for additional witnesses or anyone possessing dashcam footage of the incident to come forward to assist with the ongoing investigation.
As the community reels from this accident, the impact on the families of the deceased and injured and the broader implications on road safety in the region are coming to the forefront of concerns. This incident underscores ongoing discussions about vehicle safety and road conditions in Australia.
Further updates are expected as investigators continue their inquiry into the crash and as medical personnel provide updates on the condition of the hospitalized individuals. The community hopes for the swift recovery of those injured and is coming together to support those affected by this tragic event.