General News
17 January, 2025
Driver airlifted after crash on Henty highway
A sole 75-year-old Ouyen female driver was airlifted to Melbourne after a serious single-vehicle collision on the Henty Highway, six kilometres north of Warracknabeal, later on Monday afternoon.
A sole 75-year-old Ouyen female driver was airlifted to Melbourne after a serious single-vehicle collision on the Henty Highway, six kilometres north of Warracknabeal, later on Monday afternoon.
The crash occurred around 3:50 pm, when the driver’s white Ford Falcon veered off the road, went through a roadside drain, and collided with a large black box tree.
The impact snapped a large branch from the tree which penetrated the windscreen of the car, just stopping short of impacting the driver.
The driver is understood to have suffered serious leg and arm injuries and was being monitored for internal injuries.
Emergency services, including four CFA units, five Victoria Police vehicles, three Ambulances, and Warracknabeal SES unit attended the scene.
The SES, CFA, and paramedics worked together to safely extract the occupant from the vehicle, where the SES used the 'jaws of life' to remove doors to safely extract the injured lady.
After being stabilised on-site, the driver was transported via the HEMS 3 helicopter to a Melbourne hospital for further treatment. The helicopter landed on the highway adjacent to the crash site to airlift the driver initially to Bendigo Base Hospital, but was diverted to Melbourne.
The Henty Highway was closed for over an hour during the recovery, while the incident was deemed safe at 5:03 pm. Authorities are continuing investigations to determine the cause of the crash.
Victoria police has advised the motorists traveling in the area to exercise caution, particularly on rural roads.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
