Baby killed in Phillip Island car crash
THE DRIVER of a car involved in a crash that killed a one-year-old baby in Phillip Island overnight has been freed by police.
VIC News
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THE DRIVER of a car involved in a crash that killed a one-year-old baby in Phillip Island overnight has been freed by police.
A 24-year-old Nar Nar Goon man was released pending further inquiries after being interviewed over the crash.
Police confirmed the man had been taken to hospital under police guard, but has since been released.
Devastated neighbours living near the crash site say they were “heartbroken” after seeing the one-year-old receiving CPR after the horrific crash.
They have been campaigning for VicRoads and the Bass Coast Shire Council to install speed humps down the busy road.
Phillip Island local Ida Lom said she ran outside after hearing “a terrible crash”.
“It was just a huge crash; no brakes, no skids,” she said.
“It’s just horrible; the mother was distraught and just crying.
“There were a few people doing CPR on the baby, so it was just horrible.”
Ms Lom said she the street was notorious for hooning.
Another neighbour Meg Newman said she had witnessed at least three big crashes at the intersection in the past six months.
“People always drive up this road really fast,” Ms Newman said.
“They really need to put speed humps down the street.”
It’s understood a Mercedes sedan travelling on Smiths Beach Road collided with a black Mazda CX-9 near the intersection with Back Beach Road at 7.30pm.
A one-year-old girl, a passenger in the Mazda, was flown to hospital but died a short time later.
The male driver of the car, a female passenger and another child were taken to hospital by ambulance with minor injuries.
The 24-year-old male driver of the Mercedes has been taken to hospital under police guard with minor injuries.
The four passengers in the Mercedes were not injured in the collision.
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The Victorian Government announced a “towards zero” road safety strategy for 2016-2020 involving $1b investment in road improvements, road safety education, investment in police resourcing and new car safety measures.
The aim is to reduce road deaths by 20 per cent over five years.
This year fatalities are up 15 per cent with Victoria’s road toll at 281, up from 243 last year.
Anyone with information about the Philip Island crash is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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