New crash causing Ring Road traffic chaos

THERE is traffic chaos on the Ring Road again this morning after a truck hit a concrete barrier and came to rest on a small sedan. It comes after a horror 11-car crash yesterday that left a man fighting for life and at least a dozen people injured.

THERE is traffic chaos on the Western Ring Road again this morning after a truck hit a concrete barrier and came to rest on a small sedan.

Several lanes are closed near Wilfred St, Broadmeadows as authorities clean-up the scene.

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It comes after a horror 11-car crash yesterday afternoon that left a man fighting for life, plus at least a dozen more people injured. It is believed up to 11 vehicles, including a truck, collided on Sydney Rd, near the Western Ring Road.

The truck hit a concrete barrier and came to rest on top of a car. Picture: David Crosling.

The truck driver suffered only minor injuries in the crash. Picture: David Crosling.

Only one lane in each direction remains closed. Picture: David Crosling.

This morning’s crash, which happened about 4am, left the truck driver with minor injuries.

His truck, which is understood to be carrying scrap metal, remains lying across a concrete barrier with a car underneath.

Scrap metal is strewn across the road and cranes and bobcats are on scene clearing the debris.

Three lanes are now open in each direction.

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There are reports motorists are travelling back up an on-ramp in the wrong direction to avoid the chaos.

Ambulance Victoria said the crash was one of two on the Ring Road this morning.

Crews took a man in his 30s to the Northern Hospital with arm and shoulder injuries.

One person was taken to hospital after another crash near Pascoe Vale Rd at 6am.

Scrap metal is strewn across the crash scene.

The nearby Greensborough-bound exit ramp at Sydney Rd is still partially closed after yesterday’s crash.

The horror smash closed lanes of traffic at peak hour last night. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

More than a dozen people were injured in the crash last night. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

A mangled car litters the road after the crash last night. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Victoria Police spokeswoman Lauren Kells said one man, aged in his 30s, is in a critical condition after last night’s crash.

“It is believed that a truck has collided with several vehicles and a traffic light while exiting the Western Ring Road at Sydney Rd about 4.30pm,” she said.

“The male passenger of the first vehicle struck, believed to be in his 30s, has been transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries.”

Ambulance officers attended to 13 people on the scene, including a primary school aged girl.

The young girl was transported to the Royal Children’s Hospital, where she remains in a stable condition.

Witness Charles Ayom said it was the “nastiest crash I’ve ever seen”.

Mr Ayom said the truck may have been speeding through to beat a red light.

“It was speeding and running a red light, because the turn arrow was already red and it sped through anyway,” he said.

Emergency crews had to free injured people who were stuck in the wreckage. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Witnesses were horrified by the extent of the damage. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Eleven cars were involved in the incident. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Mr Ayom said a cyclist was among those injured in the crash.

“The truck hit two cars from the side and pushed one all the way to the ramp entering into the Metropolitan ring Rd,” he said.

“And a cyclist was hit at the lights”.

“Multiple victims are being treated for non-life threatening injuries. The 30-year-old male truck driver is being taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries,” Ms Kells said.

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said five people in total had been transported to hospital.

“A man aged in his 30s has been transported to the Austin Hospital and is currently in a stable condition,” she said.

Witness Tash says she was nearly hit by the track. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

“Another man in his 30s, also in a stable condition, has been to the Northern Hospital. Also, a man aged in his 50s has been taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition.”

MFB crews rescued two people who were trapped inside two vehicles, and required “specialist rescue equipment” to conduct the rescue.

A MFB spokeswoman said up to 18 firefighters attended to the crash.

Emergency services remain on the scene.

#BREAKING A truck has crashed into multiple cars. All outbound lanes have been closed on Sydney Road at the M80 Ring Rd due to this serious collision. #9News pic.twitter.com/l2kBkLLhX0

— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) December 11, 2017

#BREAKING All outbound lanes have been closed on Sydney Rd at the M80 Ring Rd due to a serious collision. The left lane has also been closed inbound, and the ramp from Sydney Rd to the M80 Ring Rd heading towards Greensborough has also been closed. #7News pic.twitter.com/vAO9TjGnTO

— 7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) December 11, 2017

Meanwhile, Melbourne’s train system was also thrown into chaos after a police incident on the Sandringham line yesterday afternoon.

Metro Trains confirmed the incident on Twitter.

“Sandringham line: Buses to replace trains Elsternwick-Sandringham,” the tweet said.

It’s understood the incident took place at Brighton station.

Buses have been ordered to replace trains along the line, but it was initially expected to take over an hour for the services to arrive.

But Metro Trains has confirmed 20 buses are now operating on the Sandringham line between Elsternwick and Sandringham.

Issues were also seen at Richmond station, with minor delays after a train fault.