Cyclist killed in Mornington Peninsula truck crash

A FRANKSTON family is in mourning after the death of a man hit by a rubbish truck while out cycling today. A motorcyclist was also killed in the state’s north.

A FRANKSTON family is in mourning after the death of a man hit by a rubbish truck while out cycling today.

The 61-year-old was riding on the Moorooduc Highway at Mornington, about 10km from his home, when he was flung from his bike by the impact of the smash.

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Photos from the scene showed the truck, from waste company JJ Richards, wedged between tree branches in scrub on the side of the highway.

How it clipped the cyclist, and whether anyone was at fault, remained under ­investigation.

The truck after the accident on Moorooduc Hwy. Picture: Nicole Garmston

What detectives do know is that the cyclist on a white Reid Osprey bike was heading north, not far from the Bungower Rd intersection, about 10.40am when he was hit by the truck driving the same way.

The driver, a 53-year-old Noble Park man, stopped and has been helping police.

Frankston Acting Senior Sergeant Patrick Hayes said it was “a tragic set of circumstances”.

“A man riding his push bike has sadly lost his life,” Sen Sgt Hayes said.

“Despite the best efforts of paramedics, they were unable to save the life of the cyclist.”

The stretch of road has a 100km/h speed limit and is surrounded by bush and paddocks, so there were few people in the area at the time to help paint a picture of what had occurred.

Police at the scene of the crash. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Police are investigating the crash. Picture: Nicole Garmston

“We’re in the early stages of our investigation. Major Collisions Investigation Unit and our local highway patrol are working together to ascertain the cause of the collision,” Sen-Sgt Hayes said.

Northbound lanes on Moorooduc Highway were closed between Tyabb Rd and Bungower Rd until 4pm.

Meanwhile, a motorcyclist died in a crash with a car in Heathcote in the state’s north. The man, believed to be aged in his 50s, died at the scene on the Northern Highway at Ladys Pass about 11.15am. Two women in their 60s, who were in the car, were treated for shock.

The deaths take the number of lives lost on roads this year to 94.

Police are looking for witnesses to both crashes.

Anyone who saw the crash is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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