Manningham Street Watch: Motorist’s miraculous escape from rollover

Police were stunned an Eltham man was able to get out of the crushed cabin of his ute when it rolled in Templestowe. The man’s car became airborne after veering across a median strip.

The upturned ute.

A driver miraculously managed to free himself from the crushed cabin of his ute with only a laceration to his arm.

The 22-year-old Eltham man lost control of his Ford Falcon in Templestowe on July 30, with the vehicle veering across the centre median strip of Fitzsimons Lane and becoming airborne.

He was lucky to get out of the wreck on the highway after the vehicle rolled and collided with a Holden Barina about 6.30pm.

The driver of the Barina, a 34-year-old Templestowe man, suffered minor injuries.

The Eltham man was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital for observation. Both vehicles were substantially damaged.

Nunawading highway patrol Sergeant Simon Webb said the attending officers were amazed the man got out on his own.

Police are still investigating the cause of the accident.

IN OTHER CRIME AND TRAFFIC NEWS FROM MANNINGHAM:

DONCASTER

An experienced motorcyclist was left with a broken leg and collarbone after losing control of his BMW touring motorbike in Doncaster. The 69-year-old was turning left from Doncaster Rd into High St when he fell off the bike, which landed on his leg. The Doncaster man was taken to Box Hill Hospital. Sgt Webb said police would take no further action.

DONCASTER EAST

A 20-year-old man who allegedly attempted to flee the scene of a car accident on foot failed to evade police and was later charged with careless driving and drink driving. The Doncaster man was driving his Toyota Yaris along Doncaster Rd in Doncaster East when he crashed into a parked car on July 27 at 5.30am. He allegedly blew 0.156 and will face a magistrate at a later date.

TEMPLESTOWE

Police believe a red Mazda is a key piece of evidence in a series of crimes, including a Templestowe armed robbery in which a victim’s car, wallet and phone were stolen on July 29. The 24-year-old man was robbed after parking outside his Verne Court home at 5.30pm. He was accosted by two men armed with a knife who jumped out of the Mazda and demanded his valuables, which the victim handed over. One of the offenders left the scene in the Mazda, while the other stole the victim’s car which was later recovered in Chirnside Park. Sgt Webb said the Mazda was believed to be involved in a number of other crimes. He said anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers.

The crook made off with a safe after disturbing a sleeping woman. Stock image.

DONCASTER

A man ran off with a safe after waking up a 22-year-old woman in a brazen daylight robbery. The woman was asleep in her Doncaster house when the man broke in at 12.15pm on July 29. He accessed the High St house via a window to the garage, before making his way to an upstairs bedroom where he found the safe which contained cash. He then made his way to another bedroom where he disturbed the woman, who was not injured. The man ran from the scene with the safe. Anyone with information is asked to phone Crime Stoppers.

MORE: TERRIFYING CARJACKING ORDEAL RELIVED

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POLICE HUNT FAILED TEMPLESTOWE ROBBERS

BULLEEN

Unknown offenders stole jewellery, a TV and a wallet from a Bulleen home while the occupants were asleep inside before using the victims’ Peugeot to transport the loot. They broke into the Bulleen Rd home via the front door on July 29 at 4.30am. Sgt Webb said police were still looking for the car. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.

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