UPDATE, 4pm: An inquiry has been launched after a truck driver was killed when his rig slammed into the back of another truck at the main COVID-19 border checkpoint between Victoria and South Australia.
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Police said three trucks were involved in the chain-reaction crash about 2am on Thursday, with all three engulfed in flames.
It came just two hours after South Australia closed its border to travellers from Greater Melbourne because of a growing cluster of coronavirus cases.
A number of trucks had queued up on the Victorian side of the border waiting to move through the checkpoint when the dead man's rig hit the back of another stationary truck, pushing it a third truck.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said while Victorian police were investigating the circumstances of the crash, he had instigated his own inquiry to examine the management of the border checkpoint.
Mr Stevens said it was not fair to speculate as to whether a lack of police resources at the checkpoint had contributed to the incident.
IN OTHER NEWS
"I think we should conduct our inquiries and provide factual information based on the information that we're able to obtain and be clear in our assessment as to what the circumstances were," he said.
"We had a group of five people on duty during the day shift period and during the evening period, we scaled back to three.
"There was relatively low levels of activity up until about 9.30 at night, and then when it was identified that there was a build-up occurring, a further two police officers were deployed to assist in processing people.
"I think it's fairly evident that there was still a queue of people waiting to come into South Australia."
Premier Steven Marshall said he wanted to extend his condolences to the family of the driver who died.
"While investigations are still ongoing by Victorian authorities any loss of life is a tragedy," he said.
"We'll obviously wait for that full investigation."
-AAP
EARLIER: At least one person has died following a horrific multi-truck crash on the Western Highway in the state's far west this morning.
Police investigators have been told that a truck crashed into the rear of a stationary truck at Serviceton, right near the South Australian border, about 2.20am.
The impact caused the truck which had been stationary to collide with a truck in front of it.
All three of the trucks then caught fire.
Ambulance Victoria transported two people to Bordertown Memorial Hospital in South Australia in a stable condition, with minor injuries.
The male driver of the first truck, who is yet to be identified, died at the scene.
Emergency crews remain at the scene and an investigation has commenced.
The Western Highway at Serviceton is currently closed, with a significant detour in place.
The Department of Transport said the detour could add up to 150 kilometres to a journey.
"All vehicles heading toward Serviceton from Melbourne should divert down the Wimmera Highway from Horsham," it said in a statement.
"Use the Wimmera Highway through Natimuk, Edenhope to Naracoorte.
"From Naracoorte, use the Riddoch Highway to Keith.
"From Keith, use the Dukes Highway back to Serviceton."
The highway closure is under the control of Victoria Police and is likely to remain closed for some time.
The crash comes as South Australia closed its border to people from Greater Melbourne and Sunbury from midnight.
The Western Highway becomes the Dukes Highway in South Australia. It is currently closed to cross the border in both directions.
In a statement, South Australia Police said the checkpoint at Bordertown (just across the border from Serviceton) was closed.
"SA motorists heading to Victoria are being diverted south onto Meatworks Road toward Naracoorte, access to Victoria will be via the Wimmera Highway.
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"If you are heading to Victoria today please do not travel via Bordertown.
"Police at Bordertown are currently processing a backlog of travellers who arrived prior to midnight, but will not accept new vehicles. Please plan ahead and go via an alternate route. Thanks for your patience."
South Australia police members assisted Victoria Police at the scene.
Victoria's Major Collision Investigation Unit is expected to attend the scene this morning.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Real-time traffic conditions are available at traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au or via the VicTraffic mobile app.
