Four Car Pile Up

A DANGEROUS Sebastopol roundabout needs to be upgraded, residents say, after a four-vehicle crash yesterday afternoon.

The crash, which involved a truck and three cars, occurred at 2.50pm at the intersection of Albert and Bridge streets.

A semi-trailer and a Mazda 121 collided at the roundabout, before the Mazda speared across the median strip.

It then struck a Jeep four-wheel-drive, which in turn was pushed into a Holden Barina.
The two elderly female occupants of the Mazda were taken to Ballarat Base Hospital for observation.
North-bound traffic was diverted from the scene for about one hour.

According to VicRoads statistics, there have been two crashes at the intersection since April 2005 resulting in serious injuries.

Bystanders told The Courier the intersection was dangerous and there had been several accidents at the roundabout.

One man, who only wished to be known as Darren, called on the intersection to be fixed.
“The road is not wide enough for both a truck and car to fit around it – they need to remove the roundabout and put in traffic lights,” he said.

“I think it’s one of the most dangerous and after this (crash) it should become a blackspot.”
A VicRoads spokes-woman said due to the installation of a roundabout and the low crash history, the authority considered the intersection to be operating satisfactorily.

“VicRoads will seek further information surrounding the crash before considering any future safety improvements,” she said.

Meanwhile, a man is in a serious condition after a crash at Parwan yesterday afternoon, where a 4WD was crushed against a tree with him pinned partially underneath it.

It occurred on the corner of the Bacchus Marsh and Geelong roads at 2.25pm.

Advanced life support paramedic Hugh Esler said the car had rolled and skidded into a tree side-on, with the 26-year-old thrown from the car.

He suffered multiple fractures to his legs, pelvis and arm and serious head injuries including a fractured skull.

“It was quite a difficult scene for us because there was also a gas leak from the car that needed to be contained,” Mr Esler said.

The car was lifted off the man after nearly an hour.
He was flown to The Alfred hospital in an induced coma.

Provided By: thecourier.com