A sixteen-month-old girl has died in hospital after a two-car crash on Phillip Island.
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The little girl was airlifted to Royal Children's Hospital in a critical condition after the Mazda she was travelling in with her family and a Mercedes collided on Saturday night. She died soon after arriving at the hospital.
The family car was barely recognisable, its front bonnet smashed.
The 24-year-old male driver of the Mercedes was taken to hospital with minor injuries under police guard, while the other passengers and the driver in the Mazda also suffered minor injuries.
The family was visiting Phillip Island from Sydney. They were due to return home on Sunday.
Police believe the Mercedes was travelling on Smiths Beach Road when it crashed into the Mazda near the intersection of Back Beach Road about 7.30pm.
Detective Sergeant Andrew Kilpatrick said the 16-month-old went into cardiac arrest following the crash.
"Witnesses and passers-by commenced CPR on the little girl. Unfortunately, even though she was airlifted fairly quickly to the Royal Children's Hospital, she did pass away at the hospital," he said.
The girl's nine-year-old sister and parents, both in their 40s, were taken to the Monash Medical Centre by ambulance with minor injuries. A Monash Medical Centre spokesman said the woman was in a stable condition.
The Mercedes driver, a 24-year-old man from Nar Nar Goon, has been interviewed by police and released pending further investigation.
Police are investigating following a fatal collision at Phillip Island last night https://t.co/PIKRtwzpOo pic.twitter.com/l9sIcJ1VBq— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) December 17, 2016
It is believed that the driver had alcohol in his system and had been speeding. Channel Seven reported he had driven through a stop sign.
The baby was said to be sitting in the back with her mother.
Resident Meg Newman told Channel Seven she heard a car going quite fast, and then a collision.
Bass Coast Highway Patrol Senior Constable Garth Campbell said the road was not known for attracting hoons.
"It is no worse than any other road," Senior Constable Campbell said. "It is a highly-used road... occasionally we get people speeding."
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The baby girl's death brings the state's road toll to 281, 38 more lives lost than at the same time last year.
- with Neelima Choahan
