Crews spent two hours rescuing John Bridgman from his car after it crashed into a power pole on the Ballan-Blackwood Road on Saturday.
THE Blackwood community is mourning the death of long-term resident John Bridgman who died on Saturday night after his car hit a power pole on the Ballan-Blackwood Road.
Mr Bridgman, who is thought to have been in his early 80s, was flown to The Alfred hospital in a serious condition after emergency crews worked for two hours to extricate him from his grey Toyota Camry.
Police said Mr Bridgman later died in hospital.
Blackwood resident and the editor of the local newspaper Jinny Coyle said she was devastated by the news.
“He has been a major contributor to the town of Blackwood over the years and it is a sad loss,” Ms Coyle said.
She said Mr Bridgman had been living in the town before she arrived 24 years ago.
Blackwood Hotel publican Ange Millward said the death would affect the entire community of Blackwood.
“He was a very friendly and jolly man,” Ms Millward said.
She said the road on which Mr Bridgman had his accident had always been a problem.
Moorabool Highway Patrol Senior Constable Darren Wyka said police were notified about the car by a passerby at 3.15pm on Saturday.
“The car had gone off the road,” Senior Constable Wyka said.
Five police units attended from Bacchus Marsh, Gordon and Ballan.
“SES were also in attendance to cut the car to rescue the man (Mr Bridgman).”
Mr Bridgman, Senior Constable Wyka said, suffered leg and pelvic fractures.
“On arrival the man (Mr Bridgman), who had no passengers, was semi-conscious,” he said.
“He was trapped in the car for two hours.”
