Dwayne Holman: Portland man allegedly assaults police after car crash

A passenger who allegedly assaulted police after his mate drove over the edge of a cliff in Portland has faced court.

Two police officers have been injured after they were allegedly assaulted by a passenger of a car which had driven off a cliff in the state’s southwest.

Emergency services were called to the cliff at the end of Daniel Street about 1.55am on Friday after reports a car had crashed in Portland North.

It is believed the vehicle failed to negotiate a bend, crashing through trees before landing on its roof about 50m down the cliff face.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said the exact cause of the crash had not been established and an investigation was underway.

“The driver of the car, a 37-year-old Portland man, was able to get out of the car unassisted and was flown to hospital with suspected serious injuries,” they said.

“A 38-year-old male associate of the driver attended the scene and allegedly attacked police.

“Tasers were deployed and the man was arrested.

“Two police officers allegedly received minor injuries as a result of the attack.”

Dwayne Holman, 38, of Portland, appeared briefly in the Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court on Friday afternoon charged with assaulting and obstructing two police officers and obstructing an ambulance crew.

Among the charges, Holman is accused of assaulting a female first constable with a tree branch.

Holman was granted bail and will return to court on December 14.

An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson paramedics also attended the scene.

“Paramedics assessed four people at the scene, a man in his 30s was flown by air ambulance helicopter to Warrnambool Hospital and another man also in his 30s was taken by road to Portland Hospital,” they said.

“Both are believed to be in a stable condition.”

[e-mail]