By Lachlan Abbott
Two international farmworkers have died and nine others were injured when a minibus rolled over and crashed into a tree near Mildura.
Victoria Police said the bus was travelling south along the Calder Highway on Tuesday morning when it crashed at Carwarp, about 36 kilometres south of Mildura.
The crash scene on the Calder Highway on Tuesday.Credit: Nine News
“Sadly, two passengers died at the scene,” police said in a statement.
Two others – the male driver and a passenger – suffered life-threatening injuries. The passenger was flown to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne, arriving in a critical condition shortly before midday.
Sergeant Mark McDonald, from the Mildura highway patrol unit, said at least one of the eight occupants who had been taken to Mildura Base Hospital would also be flown to Melbourne on Tuesday.
“We believe the vehicle involved was travelling south on the Calder Highway. We believe it was attempting to overtake another vehicle when it lost control and collided with a tree,” he told reporters at the crash scene shortly after midday, stressing it was still early in the investigation.
McDonald said all occupants were from overseas and worked on nearby farms. He said several were from Samoa, but didn’t know all their nationalities.
“It’s difficult to see why it’s happened,” he said.
“The weather is fine, the road condition appears to be quite good, there’s no indication any animals – or anything like that – involved.”
Ambulance Victoria said paramedics responded about 7.45am, driving eight people to Mildura hospital.
Of these eight, alongside the critically injured driver, three had serious injuries. Four other passengers were taken to hospital for observation.
“The circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be established, and the investigation remains ongoing,” police said in an earlier statement.
The Calder Highway between Kulkyn Way and Brownport Road was closed for several hours.
Two police vehicles guard the crash scene.Credit: Nine News
Anyone who witnessed the crash, or has dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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