Three killed in school-holiday crash involving learner driver

Three people, including a teenage girl, have been killed after a learner driver hit a truck and then collided head-on with another car, in a horrific end to Victoria’s long weekend.

Emergency services were called to the Western Highway near Mount Drummond Road in Ledcourt in the Grampians – about 250 kilometres northwest of Melbourne – at 6.45pm on Sunday.

Detective Acting Sergeant Leigh Miller from the Major Collision Investigation Unit, said that after a grey Mitsubishi Triton with L-plates hit the truck, it crossed onto the other side of the road and struck an oncoming white MG ZS.

The people in the MG died at the scene. They are yet to be formally identified.

Police later confirmed that a 17-year-old boy, who was driving the Mitsubishi, and an 11-year-old girl suffered minor injuries and were flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital by helicopter ambulance. They are both in a stable condition.

A 14-year-old girl, also in the Mitsubishi, was flown to hospital in a critical condition, but later died.

A 43-year-old woman in the same car was not injured but was taken to hospital for observation.

“Sadly, the two people in the third vehicle are both deceased,” Miller said on Sunday night. “The car that crossed onto the wrong side of the road, four people were involved in that.”

He said the 29-year-old truck driver was not injured and stopped to assist at the scene.

“At this stage, we don’t know why the collision has occurred. We will be investigating whether fatigue or distraction, or speed’s involved,” he said.

“It’s the holiday period, it’s getting late in the afternoon. Traffic was really busy, people are heading home.

“We want to make sure that everyone gets home safely these days. Today, two people aren’t going home, and it’s a sad and tragic event.”

Anyone who witnessed the collision, has CCTV/dashcam footage or anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

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