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Witness said Audi was speeding before horror Point Cook Christmas Eve crash that killed three

AN Audi that smashed into a Honda Jazz in Point Cook, leaving three dead, was travelling at more than twice the speed limit, a witness says. The off-duty nurse tried to free the trapped driver before realising “nothing could be done”.

CCTV footage captures speeding Audi moments before crash

AN Audi that smashed into a Honda Jazz in Point Cook, leaving three dead, was travelling at more than twice the speed limit, a witness says.

A nurse tonight fought back tears as she described how she desperately tried to free the Honda’s trapped driver after the fiery crash.

CCTV CAPTURES AUDI MOMENTS BEFORE CRASH

Kristy Kitto, who lives less than 5m from the Palmers Rd scene, said she raced out as soon as she heard the “horrific bang”.

Ms Kitto tried to free the trapped driver of the hatchback after realising “nothing could be done” to save the passenger.

An overturned Honda Jazz was involve in a head-on collision on Palmers Rd, Point Cook. Picture: Mark Stewart
An overturned Honda Jazz was involve in a head-on collision on Palmers Rd, Point Cook. Picture: Mark Stewart
The speeding Audi which lost control and hit another car. Picture: Nicole Garmston
The speeding Audi which lost control and hit another car. Picture: Nicole Garmston
A family places flowers at the site of the crash. Picture: Tony Gough
A family places flowers at the site of the crash. Picture: Tony Gough
People laying flowers at the scene of the tragedy. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin
People laying flowers at the scene of the tragedy. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

But the door of the upturned vehicle was jammed, with the nurse only able to reassure the 35-year-old woman.

“It’s the worst thing I’ve ever seen … I’m trained to save lives but I just felt so hopeless,” she told the Herald Sun.

The Tarneit driver was in a critical condition when freed, but had tonight improved to serious but stable in The Alfred hospital. Her passenger died.

Close friends of two men in the Audi said they were “heartbroken” when they heard the “gut wrenching” news that both had also perished.

“We got the call at 7am. What can we say — we’re broken,” a friend said.

On Christmas Day, police seized footage captured nearby of the Audi speeding along the road moments before the smash.

The car was travelling at more than double the 70kmh speed limit, a witness said. Picture: Mark Stewart
The car was travelling at more than double the 70kmh speed limit, a witness said. Picture: Mark Stewart
The horror scene on Christmas Eve. Picture: Mark Stewart
The horror scene on Christmas Eve. Picture: Mark Stewart
Wreckage was strewn across Palmers Rd from the impact of the crash. Picture: Nicole Garmston
Wreckage was strewn across Palmers Rd from the impact of the crash. Picture: Nicole Garmston
Workers tow the completely destroyed car from the scene. Picture: Nicole Garmston
Workers tow the completely destroyed car from the scene. Picture: Nicole Garmston

PUSH FOR 70KM/H ON UNSEALED ROADS

ROAD TOLL DROPS, BUT CYCLIST INJURIES RISE

Police Minister Lisa Neville urged drivers to take care on Victoria’s roads.

Friends of the Audi’s occupants were among locals and first responders who visited the crash scene yesterday afternoon to pay their respects and lay floral tributes. They said one of the victims was a 35-year-old man.

“He was the guy we all wanted to be, the guy we looked up to and admired,” he said.

Local resident Donald, who declined to give his last name, said his security cameras captured footage and was shocked to see how fast the car was travelling.

“The driver of the Audi (was) doing at least double the legal speed limit,” he said.

Ms Kitto said there were “constant crashes” on the main road, despite the 70kmh limit.

“Drivers hoon up and down the streets ... they often do double the limit. It’s incredibly dangerous,” she said.

Witnesses say the black Audi sped past before the horror crash. Picture: Nicole Garmston
Witnesses say the black Audi sped past before the horror crash. Picture: Nicole Garmston
The confronting scene that awaited emergency services. Picture: Nicole Garmston
The confronting scene that awaited emergency services. Picture: Nicole Garmston
The black Audi’s two occupants were killed at the scene. Picture: Nicole Garmston
The black Audi’s two occupants were killed at the scene. Picture: Nicole Garmston
Three dead after Christmas Eve crash in Victoria

A local resident who witnessed the crash said the Audi flew by her at the bus stop on Palmers Rd seconds before the deadly impact.

“They were going so fast, I only had a second to step back from the road,” she said.

“I thought the driver was doing a stunt manoeuvre at the time it happened. They came over onto the right side of the road.”

Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer said the speed needed to cause this kind of devastation was “just crazy”.

Asst Comm Fryer said it was a tragedy that didn’t need to happen.

“Two innocent people just trying to probably get home to wrap presents and they’ve never made it,” he said.

It is believed the Audi driver was not known to police, with drug and alcohol tests to come.

The Major Collision Investigation Unit will investigate the tragic incident and police will prepare a report for the coroner.

cassandra.zervos@news.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/witness-said-audi-was-speeding-before-horror-point-cook-christmas-eve-crash-that-killed-three/news-story/d1d8a6a2d8d14f778322f102804ee81b