Man hands himself in over fiery Mansfield crash involving elderly couple

A man has handed himself into police over a fiery Mansfield smash which seriously injured two elderly grandparents.

A fiery crash has taken place in the state's north east. Photo: Paul Sinclair

A man has handed himself into police over a fiery smash which seriously injured two elderly grandparents in Mansfield.

Police confirmed a 37-year-old man from Wharparilla, on the Victoria/NSW border, handed himself into police on Friday morning.

He is currently assisting with the investigation.

The couple, aged 71 and 73, from Weir Views were towing a caravan when their Subaru Forester was run off Mansfield-Woods Point Road in Mansfield by an overtaking black Toyota Land Cruiser about 11.15am Thursday.

The grandparents were seriously injured after both their car and caravan burst into flames.

They were flown to a Melbourne hospital for treatment.

The couple’s beloved cat, Missy, was in the car at the time of the incident and escaped the carnage.

She is yet to be found.

A woman who said on Facebook she was the victims’ granddaughter asked others to be on the lookout for the missing moggy.

“She’s a friendly cat but I imagine she would be very scared after everything that has happened today,” she said.

Police released this image of a man they want to speak to.

A Land Cruiser thought to be involved in the crash.

“She’s so loved and it would be a miracle to find her and reunite them during this difficult time.”

Scott Purcell ran to the couple’s aid after he noticed smoke billowing from the front of his farm.

“The flames were pretty high. It was a bit confronting,” he told the Herald Sun.

“I thought the worst when I saw the old fella lying there. It was getting pretty hot so we made the decision to move him across the road before a gas bottle on the caravan went off.”

Mr Purcell said the country road was frequented by tourists unfamiliar with the conditions.

“A lot of people overtake in dumb spots and this is what happens,” he said.

Police released images of the black Land Cruiser involved in the crash and a man they believe was behind the wheel.

A CFA spokesman said four units were called to the scene and brought the flames under control within 45 minutes.

Police have revealed the Land Cruiser was seen overtaking up to eight cars prior to the incident.

Investigators are appealing for the occupants of these cars to contact police.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.