Two left trapped after horrific car smash in Ballarat

AN 18-year-old man remains in a critical but stable condition in the Alfred Hospital after being airlifted from a horrific crash scene in Humffray Street last night.The driver of the vehicle, an 18-year-old woman, has improved to be in a stable condition at the Royal Melbourne Hospital this morning after also being airlifted from the wreck.Scores of emergency crews worked for more than four hours to free the pair from the car after it slammed into a power pole in Humffray Street South, Ballarat.Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said the boy, who was trapped until 12.50am this morning, remained alert and conscious throughout the ordeal. Mr Mullen said emergency crews had to cut open the bottom of the car to free the boy. He was flown to The Alfred hospital this morning in a stable condition. Two other passengers, believed to be males aged 17, were taken to Ballarat Health Services Base Hospital with minor injuries. The early-model car was said to be travelling north on Humffray Street South when it crashed into a pole at 8.15pm.Rescue crews used a crane positioned above the car to try and free the pair while ambulance workers held drips attached to them. Neighbour Steven Ellis, who was one of the first on the scene, said he was watching television when he heard the crash and ran out. "There was smoke everywhere and the car was wrapped around the poles," Mr Ellis said. Residents, he said, used garden hoses and a small fire extinguisher to put out a fire at the front of the car. Mr Ellis said he saw two of the male passengers were walking around in shock covered in blood. "We tried to get them to sit down," he said. Another neighbour Wendy Draayers, who comforted the trapped youths, said two of the males were only 17 years old. "The boy in the front kept saying 'I can't feel my legs'," Ms Draayers said."But the female driver was hysterical, she kept screaming 'get me out of here'." Ms Draayers said the youths told her they could feel the fire on their legs.

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Up to six police units, two ambulances and several fire brigade units were at the scene while two helicopters hovered in the sky before landing at White Flat Oval. Highway Patrol Ballarat Senior Sergeant Pat Cleary said it was a horrific collision. "A car struck a power pole and damage is immense," Sergeant Cleary said. "To see something like this and to realise there will be survivors is quite amazing. They are amazingly lucky." The cause of the accident, he said, was being investigated. Police are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the accident or saw the car driving in the vicinity to call Highway Patrol Ballarat on 5336 1306.
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