General News
8 August, 2025
Local police urge caution after two single-vehicle collisions in as many days
Emergency services attended two single car collisions in as many days this week as they ask the community to remain diligent on the road.
On Tuesday morning a man was taken to a Ballarat hospital after he veered off the Ballarat-Maryborough Road in what’s believed to be the result of a medical episode.
Acting Sergeant Crystal Clark said the vehicle, a Holden Commodore ute, was travelling the speed limit just before the incident at around 9.30 am.
She said the scene indicated to police the man didn’t use his breaks when he came off the roadway, that he made contact with what’s understood to be a concrete drain, and may have spun.
“[It’s] probably very lucky it didn’t make impact with any other vehicles that were travelling on the road and that the drivers behind the vehicle were alert,” she said.
The man was taken to a Ballarat hospital by ambulance with non life-threatening injuries.
Because the major impact point was beneath the vehicle the airbags didn’t deploy in the collision, however, Acting Sgt Clark warns the community to be cautious in similar situations.
“If anyone is ever attending to someone who has been in an accident and emergency services aren’t there just because the airbags haven’t gone off doesn’t mean they can’t,” she said.
Leaning into a car when the airbags haven’t deployed, Acting Sgt Clark explained, could mean bystanders receive full impact of a delayed airbag risking major injury.
“Try to avoid leaning in over airbag areas,” she said.
“If you are leaning into the car ... just use your hands to assist the person if that’s possible.”
The next day emergency services attended a collision where a Toyota hatchback veered off the road into bush along the Bendigo-Maryborough Road at Havelock just before 9 am.
Around 10 emergency service vehicles attended the incident including police, SES, Carisbrook Fire Brigade and paramedics.
Crews were on scene for almost an hour in order to free the driver who had become trapped.
While police are currently investifgating the circumstances that lead to the crash, Acting Sgt Clark reminded drivers to consider if they are safe to drive.
“I just think the community should consider whether they’re fit and proper to be behind the wheel,” she said.
“I think sometimes we forget that it can be really dangerous if we aren’t fit and healthy or in the right state whether that’s fatigue or for a medical reason.”
Acting Sgt Clark emphasised that drivers need to consider if it’s safe for them, and other road users, whenever they drive.
“If that answer is no don’t get behind the wheel and drive,” she said.
