THREE people have died in two separate crashes in the Yarra Ranges in Melbourne’s east.
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A 12-year-old girl and a man in his mid-30s died when a truck apparently crossed on to the wrong side of the road and hit their 4WD at Steels Creek just before 9am.
Police say that a truck was travelling in Mount Slide Road, towards the Melba Highway, when it hit a 4WD, killing the male driver and a girl in the back.
The man was thrown from the car, while the girl was trapped.Helicopters were dispatched to the crash, but the pair died at the scene.
Two other passengers, a boy, 8, and girl, 12, were uninjured but were taken to Maroondah Hospital for observation.
The truck driver, 45, is assisting detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit.
Detective Sergeant Chris Carnie described the scene as particularly distressing for emergency crews.
‘‘Any time you have a collision such as this where children are involved, it is especially difficult,” he said.
“We will investigate a range of potential factors and would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision or either of the vehicles in the lead up to it.
In a separate crash, a motorcyclist riding with a group lost control of his bike at Hoddles Creek, about 72 kilometres east of Melbourne.
Investigators say that the Watsonia man, in his 40s, was travelling to Gembrook when he lost control on a sweeping bend in Gembrook-Launching Place Road about 11am.
The deaths bring the state road toll to 38, eight more than for this time last year.
A 19-year-old man is fighting for life after losing control of his bike and becoming impaled on a fence at Bendigo at 1am.
Anyone who witnessed either fatality is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800333000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au
