Bell St Coburg crash: Elderly man dies after being struck by Hyundai sedan

Police are investigating after an elderly man was struck and killed while attempting to cross a busy road in Coburg.

Police have urged all Victorian road users to take extra care after two people died in separate incidents on Tuesday morning.

A 67-year-old Tyabb man died after his motorcycle collided with a 4WD at the intersection of Frankston-Flinders and Coolart roads at Baxter about 5.45am.

Less than two hours later, an 85-year-old Coburg man was struck and killed by a blue Hyundai sedan while attempting to cross Bell St, Coburg, near the Davis St intersection.

The Coburg fatality brings the number of Victorian pedestrian deaths in 2022 to 28 — the same number as for all of 2021.

There were 10 pedestrian deaths recorded in June alone, and three so far this month.

The five-year average for pedestrian deaths at this time is 19.6, and pedestrian deaths are up on last year’s numbers in both regional and metropolitan areas.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Justin Goldsmith of the Road Policing Command said the statistics were “truly tragic”.

Mr Goldsmith highlighted inattention as a key factor in pedestrian fatalities, and said winter was an especially high risk time on the roads because lack of light and poor weather could reduce visibility.

He said police would do all they could to prevent further loss of life, but asked road users to look out for each other to help slow down an “enormously concerning” trend.

“Motorists need to remain focused behind the wheel and avoid distractions, and pedestrians need to look up, pay attention to the road and ensure it’s safe to cross before doing so,” he said.

“One mistake is all it takes for someone to be seriously injured or worse.”

Investigations into Tuesday’s fatalities are ongoing and the drivers involved in each incident are assisting police.