Melbourne Cup weekend crashes on Victorian roads leave eight people dead

Eight people have died and several others injured in what has been a horror start to the long weekend on Victorian roads. 

In the latest tragedy overnight, police were called to reports a car and motorcycle had collided at the intersection of South Road and Olive Street in Brighton East, south-east of Melbourne.

The rider of the motorcycle and driver of the car both died at the scene while a child passenger in the car was taken to hospital with minor injuries. 

The men are yet to be formally identified.  

Police are also investigating after a 26-year-old man died and 29-year-old man suffered life-threatening injuries when the motorcycle they were travelling on lost control and crashed into a tree at Blairgowrie on Saturday night. 

Around the same time in Maryborough, police responded to calls two cars had collided on Park Road.

The male driver of on of the cars died at the scene and his female passenger was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The other driver, a 20-year-old man, was not injured but his 17-year-old female passenger was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Shortly after, a ute lost control and crashed into a tree at Werribee killing the male drive and sole occupant of the car.

Earlier on Saturday, a teenager passenger riding on an e-bike was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries following a collision with a car in Moolap. 

The rider of the e-bike, a 17-year-old boy was also injured.

A 75-year-old woman was also fatally struck by a vehicle in Dennington, in Warrnambool, about 12:20pm on Saturday while crossing at a pedestrian crossing. 

"The 52-year-old male driver of the car, stopped at the scene and provided immediate assistance," a police spokesperson said.

"Sadly, the local woman died at the scene."

An investigation is also underway after a car and motorcycle collided in Footscray, killing the male motorcyclist. 

The 59-year-old man driving the car was not injured and stopped at the scene. 

He was interviewed by police but released pending further enquiries. 

Another motorcyclist died in a collision with a car in Healesville about 7:15pm on Friday. 

Calls for motorists to drive with care during Melbourne Cup carnival

According to the Transport Accident Commission, 220 lives have been lost on the state's roads so far this year. 

It is slightly lower than this time last year, when 247 lives were lost on roads.

Police had previously warned motorist to reduce their speed during the Melbourne Cup long weekend with nearly one in three fatalities this year a result of speeding.

"Every life lost on the roads is preventable and we are doing all we can to reduce road trauma," Acting Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Peta Barrett said in the lead up to the long weekend.

"We’re pleading with all motorists to remain alert and cautious behind the wheel, especially on longer journeys and when travelling on rural roads." 

Investigations into all fatalities over the weekend are underway with police calling on any witnesses or anyone with CCTV footage to contact Crime Stoppers.