Geelong surgeon revealed as man charged over Swan Bay crash

A Geelong surgeon charged over his alleged role in a multi-vehicle fatal crash could face up to 10 years’ jail.

A Geelong surgeon has been charged with dangerous driving causing death following a fatal crash on the Bellarine Peninsula.

Cardiothoracic surgeon Associate Professor Xiao Bo Zhang was charged following a multi-car collision in Swan Bay that killed a 35-year-old Queenscliff woman and saw three others hospitalised.

A/Prof Xiao Bo Zhang has been charged following a fatal multi-car collision

Prof Zhang,who has worked across Barwon Health and St John Of God Geelong Hospital,faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.

He was set to have his case heard before the Geelong Magistrates Court on Monday, however the case was adjourned until July.

The fatal collision took place on Sunday afternoon, while Prof Zhang was travelling eastbound on Swan Bay Rd.

He allegedly collided with a vehicle which then rolled on its side, before another vehicle travelling northbound on Queenscliff Rd became stuck and rolled on its roof.

The 35-year-old woman died at the scene while another woman in her 40s, a man in his 30s and a preschool-aged boy were taken to hospital in stable conditions.

Barwon Health said as with all legal matters before court it was unable to provide comment.

The health service said Prof Zhang was currently on leave.

It’s understood Prof Zhang held the position of director of cardiothoracic surgery at Geelong hospital for a number of years up until 2019.

According to the St John of God Health Care website, Prof Zhang completed his medical degree in 1982 in China, before completing his master of medicine in 1986.

“(He) was admitted to fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons in 2005,” the website reads.

“He has completed postgraduate fellowship training in US and Canada and specialises in conventional and minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgery.”

Cardiac Surgeon Bo Zhang pictured at St John of God in 2015. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

It’s understood Prof Zhang has been a member of the national steering committee for the Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons, and a clinical Associate Professor at Deakin University.

Deakin University and St John of God Health Care did not provide comment.

An Epworth Healthcare spokesman said Prof Zhang had not admitted patients at Epworth Geelong.

Originally published as Geelong surgeon revealed as man charged over Swan Bay crash