Loddon Herald 14 July 2022

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COUNTRY VICTORIA’S NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR

www.loddonherald.com.au

Loddon HERALD FREE EVERY THURSDAY

Vol 2 No 26 THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2022 ISSN 2653-1550

MIDNIGHT DIP Police, residents want bollards after river crash

CALLS have been made for Calder Highway safety action after a car crashed into the Loddon River at the weekend. The Toyota Seca sedan, displaying green P-plates, careered through the Bridgewater Hotel carpark just before midnight Saturday, dodging a power pole and landing in water about 10 metres from the riverbank. Cars belonging to two hotel staff were damaged, timber posts lining the Calder Highway and steel flood measure posts flattened in the incident. The 24-year-old driver from Murrayville escaped the vehicle and was wrapped in blankets until police could take the man to Bendigo Health for treatment of minor injuries. A four-man Victoria Police search and rescue squad team connected wire ropes to the submerged vehicle late Monday morning before it was winched onto a tow truck and removed from the river. Hotel staff members finishing their Saturday night shift were in the car park when the car left the highway soon after 11.30pm. Hotel owner Virginia Hyland

said staff took the man inside the hotel and kept him warm until emergency services arrived. Both Virginia and Acting Sgt Mick Balazs said there had been a degree of luck the incident had not been more tragic. “People were standing in the carpark, there were still people inside where a live band had been playing,” said Virginia. “It’s left everyone a bit shocked. We’re just thankful no one was seriously hurt or worse. There are a million different scenarios that could have happened.” Acting Sgt Balazs said the crash highlighted the need for greater protection on the highway verge, possibly bollards, a call backed by residents. “The carpark in front of the hotel forms part of the pedestrian route taken by local residents and tourists every day to the riverbank,” he said. Sgt Balazs said it appeared the driver of the Toyota may have fallen asleep before the car crashed into the river. However, investigations were continuing. Department of Transport said it would support Victoria Police to investigate the incident to determine if further safety upgrades were required

HEMP LIFE FOR OLD FACTORY - PAGE 3

Constable Tim Rodgers (left) made his first dive with Victoria Police search and rescue squad at Bridgewater on Monday, securing wire ropes to the submerged car before it was winched back to land. Constable Rodgers was one of four members of the squad who arrived from Melbourne to assist with the salvage operation. Loddon police Acting Sgt Mick Balazs and Leading Senior Constable Grant Polglase assisted during the 60-minute operation, directing traffic crossing the Loddon River as guide ropes were lowered from the Calder Highway bridge and as local residents watched the car winched back to land. LH PHOTOS

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