By JESSE GRAHAM
UPDATE: 10 February.
POLICE are investigating the circumstances of a horrific crash in Mount Evelyn on Friday 6 February that claimed the life of a 53-year-old Wandin North man.
The crash occurred at 2.10pm, when the man’s car, a wagon, hit a tree on the side of Monbulk Road in Mount Evelyn and burst into flames.
The driver, a father of three, died at the scene.
Yarra Ranges Highway Patrol Sergeant Simon Coverley told the Mail yesterday (Monday 9 February) that police were still investigating the circumstances of the crash.
He said there were no skid marks on the road to indicate that the driver had applied brakes before the car hit the tree.
“We’re trying to investigate why he’s left the road – there appears to be no braking,“ he said.
“Speed does appear to be a factor at this stage.“
A Victoria Police statement on Saturday 7 February said Investigators believed the driver may have attempted to overtake another vehicle before losing control and hitting the tree.
“That’s still a possibility,” Sgt Coverley said.
The flames from the crash also ignited nearby trees and scrub, and about seven CFA trucks rushed to the scene to douse the flames.
Sgt Coverley said it was uncommon for car crashes to cause fires like the one that occurred on Friday, and that police would continue to investigate the matter.
He said that it was still unknown if a medical issue or alcohol were involved.
Monbulk Road was closed off from the time of the accident until late in the evening, as police officers analysed the scene.
No other vehicles are believed to be part of the crash.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has more information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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UPDATE: 9 February.
THE victim of Friday’s fatal crash in Mount Evelyn has been identified as a 53-year-old Wandin North man.
The man, who is a father of three, was killed at 2.10pm on Friday, when his car hit a tree on Monbulk Road and burst into flame.
Yarra Ranges Highway Patrol Sergeant, Simon Coverley, told the Mail that police were still investigating the incident and possible causes of the crash.
Sgt Coverley said there were no skid marks on the road to indicate the driver had applied brakes before the car hit the tree.
“We’re trying to investigate why he’s left the road – there appears to be no braking,” he said.
“Speed does appear to be a factor at this stage.”
A Victoria Police statement on Saturday 7 February said the driver may have attempted to overtake another vehicle and lost control before hitting the tree.
Monbulk Road was closed in both directions until late on Friday night, with police officers on the scene trying to determine the cause of the crash.
The flames from the crash ignited nearby grass and trees, with about seven CFA trucks rushing to the scene to douse the fire.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who may have more information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
For the full story, see tomorrow’s Mail.
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UPDATE: 7 February.
POLICE are still investigating the cause of yesterday’s fatal crash in Mount Evelyn, which ignited bushland on Monbulk Road.
The crash occurred at 2.10pm on Friday 6 February, when a wagon hit a tree on Monbulk Road and burst into flame.
Victoria Police Investigators believe the wagon had overtaken another vehicle on the road, lost control and crashed into a tree.
The driver, who has yet to be formally identified, died at the scene.
Monbulk Road was closed in both directions until late last night, with police officers on the scene, investigating the cause of the incident.
The flames from the car ignited nearby grass and trees, with about seven CFA trucks at the scene to douse the fire.
Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
For the full story, see next week’s Mail.
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A PERSON has been killed in a car crash this afternoon in Mount Evelyn, which sparked a scrub fire on Monbulk Road.
The crash occurred at 2.10pm, where a car appears to have hit a tree on Monbulk Road and burst into flame.
The CFA issued an advice warning for the Mount Evelyn area shortly after, as about seven fire trucks raced to the scene to fight the blaze.
The advice warning said the fire was not a threat to the community, but urged residents to monitor the situation, in case conditions changed.
The fire has since been removed from the Emergency.vic.gov.au website’s list of incidents.
Victoria Police is expected to release more information on the crash shortly.
Mount Evelyn CFA was contacted, but a representative was not immediately available to comment.
Monbulk Road is still closed to the south of Mount Evelyn and is expected to stay closed until 6.30pm. Drivers are being asked to avoid the area.
More to come.
