A van and ute collided in Talbot, near the intersection of Ballarat-Maryborough Road and Pollocks Road about 8.15am.

The driver of the van died at the scene while his passenger, a 31-year-old man from Maryborough, was taken to Grampians Health Ballarat by road Ambulance.

The driver of the Ford Ranger, a 72 year-old man from Footscray, was flown to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.

Detective Acting Sergeant Tony Gentile from the Major Collision Investigation Unit said the wet conditions may have played a part in the crash.

"We are led to believe the conditions were quite wet, with heavy rainfall...it may have had some impact on the collision," Acting Sergeant Gentile said.

"It's quite early in our investigation...we'll consider fatigue, alcohol, speed."

Senior Sergeant Ian Brooks of Goldfields Highway Patrol urged drivers to take it easy in the wet.

"We still don't know the cause but the conditions have been really wet and slippery," the Maryborough-based officer said.

"We don't want another accident like this."

Acting Sergeant Gentile echoed the message.

"The impact on communities, especially country towns is enormous," he said.

"Everybody knows somebody...the ripple effect, it's devastating to the whole town."

It is the 9^th fatal crash on roads around Ballarat this year.

See the map below for a breakdown of all the crashes in the region for 2022.

Anyone who witnessed the crash, with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

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