High speed crash

By Russell Bennett
FURIOUS Gembrook residents have had enough of local hoon drivers treating the town’s tight and twisty roads with contempt.
Richard Kesper and Graeme Smith were outraged but not surprised by a serious crash near Fielder Road between Gembrook and Cockatoo last Tuesday that saw three youths end up in city hospitals, one in a life-threatening condition.
The two men live within 100 metres of where an early 1990s model Holden Commodore flipped at high speed and landed on its roof.
“We’ve been here 19 years and seen 10 major accidents at this bend during that time,” Mr Kesper, 48, said.
“In that period there’s been nothing done about speed rails or signs.
“It’s ridiculous.”
Mr Smith, 62, said there had been a number of close calls over recent years at the Belgrave Road corner next to his property.
“There was one crash where a car ended up on its roof in the driveway,” Mr Smith said.
“The stupid woman just got out and took off.”
Sergeant Fiona Tolmie from Emerald Police said Tuesday’s smash took place when a vehicle containing four local youths went out of control after an overtaking manoeuvre gone wrong.
The car flipped onto its roof, trapping a 19-year-old man for more than an hour.
Ambulance officers placed a 16-year-old boy into an induced coma at the scene after he suffered a serious head injury.
Helicopters flew the youths to The Alfred and Royal Melbourne hospitals respectively.
A 22-year-old man with cuts and bruises was also taken to The Alfred.
Intensive care paramedic Liam McAleese said: “we suspect that a couple of the young men weren’t wearing seatbelts. “In the event of a crash, that causes people to float and bump about in the car.
“Too often that results in serious injuries like those suffered by the young man who has been placed into an induced coma.”
Victoria Police’s Major Collisions Squad attended the scene and worked throughout the night to figure out what happened during the crash. Emerald police are leading the investigation.
Sgt Tolmie said: “Any witnesses who have not already come forward should contact Emerald police”.
“This should be a lesson for everyone to wear seatbelts and reduce their speed.
“These young men were very lucky.”