Victorian Police Commissioner Shane Patton has had the difficult task of fronting the media after two lives were lost on the roads 30km south of Mildura overnight.
According to the Police Commissioner, a 25 year old female Senior Constable and 43 year old male Leading Senior Constable were travelling along the Kulkyne Way at approximately 9:55pm on Friday night when a Nissan Navara Utility, travelling in the opposite direction veered onto the wrong side of the road and head on into the police vehicle. A second vehicle that had been following behind police then collided with the police vehicle.
Tragically, the female police officer died at the scene along with the 23 year old male driver of the Nissan Navara. The male police officer was transported to nearby Mildura Hospital before being airlifted to Royal Melbourne Hospital where he remains in a critical but stable condition. According to news reports, the male driver and three children in the vehicle travelling behind the police vehicle escaped without injury.
The police officers involved in Friday night’s tragedy had worked in the Mildura Highway Patrol and were highly regarded by their colleagues. The Major Collision Unit continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
The Police Association Victoria (PAV) said today they were in mourning for another work mate, loved one, friend and protector, whose life was cut short in their duty to the community. They went on to say that they also had a member in hospital with serious injuries. The PAV reiterated the words of the Police Commissioner, stating “the impact of a tragedy like this ripples through the entire force…We are thinking of you and we stand beside you always”.
Premier Daniel Andrews took to twitter to offer his condolences to the families of those who had lost loved ones and said his thoughts were with the injured officer.
Police are urging anyone that witnessed the crash to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
If this story has raised any issues for you, you can reach out for help by contacting Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636.
