UPDATE, 11.21AM: Emergency services and witnesses say a truck driver was “very lucky” to survive a rollover near Meredith on Tuesday morning.
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The tanker carrying water rolled on a steep section on Meredith-Steiglitz Road about 9am.
A passing tow-truck driver was one of the first on scene and with the help of some other passers-by, managed to free the driver.
They cut him out of the windscreen, with the truck driver conscious throughout the ordeal.
He has since been airlifted with serious leg and hip injuries.
Bacchus Marsh towing owner Trevor Oliver was in the area to pick up a stolen car when he came across the incident.
“A bloke came around the corner, frantic and telling us a truck had rolled over, so we ducked down and saw the driver was doubled over in the cabin,” he said.
“He’s been conscious the whole way through, but he was struggling to breathe and was pinned by his left leg.
“He’s very lucky that someone came along because (phone) coverage is not good in this area.”
Maude Fire Brigade Lieutenant Peter Stray described the incident as a lucky escape.
CFA volunteers are expected to remain on scene for some time and have worked to prevent oil spilling into the Moorabool River.
“It was a very lucky escape, the roof was very flat down to the top of the door sills,” Mr Stray said.
“He was very lucky to come out of it alive.
“There were three or four chaps there who were doing a great job.”
Mr Stray said it was a notorious road that had witnessed its share of truck accidents.
“It's not long ago we had another truck come off at virtually the same spot,” he said.
“It's quite steep down the river and if the trucks start off too fast at the top they run out of brakes by the time they get here.”
The road is expected to be closed into the afternoon.
EARLIER, 9.22AM: Paramedics and emergency crews are on the scene of a truck rollover on the Meredith-Steiglitz Road.
It is understood that at least one person is trapped in the truck, but believed to be conscious.
The accident happened just before 9am.
Ambulance Victoria has confirmed that an air ambulance has been dispatched, but at this stage it is not known how many patients are involved or how serious the injuries are.
Emergency services from across the district are headed to the scene and have asked that drivers avoid the area if possible.
More to come.
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