Man dies after car hits tree, bursts into flames on Wellington Rd, Clayton
Passers-by have tried to pull a driver from a car after it hit a tree and caught on fire in Melbourne’s east. But police, who were on the scene within minutes, say there was nothing they could do to save him.
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A man has died after his car hurtled off the road in Clayton, hitting a power pole and a tree before bursting into flames.
The crash occurred in the median strip on Wellington Rd between Cambro and Renver roads just after midnight.
Sergeant Adrian Stafferton said the car was travelling west in the right lane when it suddenly mounted the kerb and became airborne, hitting the pole and a large tree and catching fire.
Sgt Stafferton said police were on scene almost immediately, having been driving nearby, and used a fire extinguisher to stop the fire consuming the car.
He said passers-by tried to open the car doors before police broke the windows and found the driver was trapped and dead.
“It appears he was killed instantly,” he said.
Sgt Stafferton said no one else was in the car and there was no indication anyone else was involved in the crash.
He said while the area had a reputation for hoon driving there was no suggestion hoon driving was associated with the crash.
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Police are investigating whether speed or distraction contributed and are looking at CCTV from nearby businesses.
Sgt Stafferton said the driver was a foreign national and police were still trying to get in contact with his family overseas.
The death brings the Victorian road toll to 41 lives lost this year.
Anyone who witnessed the collision is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au.