Two die in horrific highway smash

TWO people were killed and a third seriously injured after a head-on smash on the Hamilton Highway at Berrybank, east of Lismore, late yesterday afternoon.

The drivers of the vehicles, a silver Mercedes sedan and a white Ford Falcon, were killed in the accident.

A 43-year-old male passenger was flown to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne in a serious but stable condition, with a broken arm and pelvic injuries.

The smash happened on the crest of a hill, east of Collins Lane, just before the Gnarkeet Chain of Ponds bridge.

Emergency services were confronted with an horrific scene, with debris strewn across the road.

The Ford sedan was on the north side of the road, while the Mercedes came to rest on its roof on the opposite side of the road. 

CFA units from Lismore and SES rescue units from Camperdown, Colac and Lismore attended, along with police and ambulance units.

The highway was closed in both directions from the Lismore-Pittong Road (Ballarat Road) and the Foxhow Road until late last night while police from Warrnambool, Colac and Ararat investigated the scene.

Acting Inspector Stuart Green from Ararat Police said the exact cause of the accident was still being investigated.

“At this stage, it appears to be an offset collision, meaning one car has veered into the path of the other,” Acting Inspector Green said.

“We don’t know at this stage what direction each vehicle was travelling in.

“I don’t want to speculate at this stage. Our investigations are continuing and we ask anyone who may have witnessed the accident to contact CrimeStoppers or the Warrnambool Police.”

 Acting Inspector Green said it was a tragic reminder for people to slow down on the region’s roads and drive to the conditions.

“This has had tragic consequences,” he said,

“It’s a reminder to slow down, drive with care and drive to the conditions.

“It’s better to arrive a little bit late, rather than not at all.”