Truck driver’s employer claims he was ‘unaware of the incident’ after hitting pedestrians and leaving scene
A Melbourne truck driver claims he didn’t know he ploughed into several pedestrians before leaving the horrific crash scene last night.
The man arrested over last night’s horrific truck crash in Melbourne claims he was “unaware” he hit anyone.
The 64-year-old man from Wyndham Vale was arrested more than 20km away from where the crash happened at an intersection in Southbank.
Four men and a woman all aged in their 20-30s were taken to hospital, with two men suffering critical injuries.
The truck driver’s employer, K & S Group, today issued a statement about the horrific incident.
“Our thoughts are with the people and families of those involved,” K & S chief executive Paul Sarant said.
“It’s obviously a very serious matter which is being fully investigated by the police and the company.
“We’re advised the driver maintains he was unaware of the incident.
“He has been working for the company for nearly 10 years and was on his way to the depot in a company truck at the end of his shift.”
RELATED: Melbourne mayor calls for ‘urgent’ upgrades to ‘horrendous’ Southbank intersection
He said K & S Group was undertaking an internal Workplace Health and Safety investigation.
Police last night said that it appeared the driver, while performing a left hand turn, cut the intersection corner and mounted the footpath, taking out the traffic light which fell to the ground.
A passing motorist who witnessed the incident followed the B-double truck driver through Melbourne and alerted authorities.
The Herald Sun reports one of the victims is believed to be Melbourne man Hanmant Rachmale.
On Facebook his friend Kumar Amrendra wrote Mr Rachmale’s entire lower body had been crushed and his upper body had innumerable fractures.
“Let’s help the young man and his family in these tough, terrible times. Let’s pray that he comes out of critical condition soon. Please donate generously. Every penny counts,” he wrote, as reported by the publication.
The crash has drawn attention to the safety of the intersection, with nearby residents calling the site “an accident waiting to happen”.
Melbourne mayor Sally Capp on Friday called the scene “horrendous”.
“The crash on the corner of City Rd and Power St was horrendous,” Ms Capp posted on Twitter.
“Our thoughts are with the people injured and their families and we hope they make a full recovery.”
In her post, Ms Capp called for major, urgent improvements to the intersection.
“We need to work together to fix this intersection and make it safer for Southbank residents and workers,” she said.
“I’ve contacted Roads Minister Ben Carroll and local MP Martin Foley to discuss urgent safety measures that can be delivered swiftly.”
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said he had been in talks with Ms Capp about upgrading the intersection.
“I want to offer my deep sympathies and support to those young people who were so terribly injured last night and wish them a speedy recovery,” he said.
“We’ve been in discussions about what does this tell us about City Road and Power Street, where we see a large number of vehicles coming on and off the freeway through what’s a very densely populated apartment, and can things be done better.
“I’ve already been in contact with our friends from public transport and roads as to what can be done to make sure that that kind of tragic circumstances doesn’t happen again.”
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