NEWS DESK
‘Fireball’ crash scene Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au CFA crews worked desperately to prevent a B-double truck’s huge liquefied petroleum gas tanks exploding after a fatal collision in Tyabb on Thursday night. Police are investigating why a black Mercedes sedan travelling south on Dandenong-Hastings Rd at 8.15pm crossed onto the wrong side of the road and ran head-on into the tanker. Both vehicles caught fire, but luckily it did not extend to the 20 tonnes of LPG on board the tanker. The driver of the Mercedes, a 49-year-old Hastings man, died at the scene while the driver of the tanker escaped with minor injuries. CFA District 8 operations officer Don Wilkie said more than 100 firefighters worked to gain control of the fire just before midnight. “The first responding crews did a fantastic job calling for the most appropriate equipment and had to make some quick decisions,” he said. “The fact is this could have been much worse if there was an explosion. This great work by all agencies contributed to lowering the risk of this happening.” Tyabb CFA Captain Steve Birkinshaw said when CFA crews arrived on scene they were confronted with “a fireball”. “They weren’t sure if the large tanks were involved or not, but, fortunately, they were not,” he said. Firefighters stayed at the scene throughout the night and remained onsite until the decanting was completed, Friday afternoon. Western Port Highway was closed between Bungower Rd, Somerville
Picture: Yanni
and Frankston-Flinders Rd, Tyabb. Senior Constable Adam West, of police media, said anyone who saw the collision or has any information should contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
Christmas lunch A TRADITIONAL Christmas in July lunch at Rosebud next month will aid the Cloverleaf organisation which provides a caring and supported permanent residence for those living with a disability. The lunch is 12.30pm, Sunday 23 July, at Rosebud Country Club, 207 Boneo Rd, Rosebud. The cost is $60 per person with drinks at bar prices. The event is billed as a fun-filled afternoon with entertainment, door prizes, auction and a raffle. To buy tickets call Carole 5991 5117 or 0409 253 651 or email sclowther@ bigpond.com Those attending should RSVP by 14 July. Those unable to attend are welcome to talk to Carole about making a tax-deductable donation.
Dog walkers strain at the leash Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au DOG walkers at McCrae proved the social aspects of their regular beach outings by getting together on 10 June to pressure Mornington Peninsula into loosening the laws on keeping their pets on a leash. Bill Chalkley said unique winter restrictions at McCrae were the “bones of the issue”. “Since it was established in November 2008 the McCrae beach off-leash dog exercise area has had winter time restrictions - no off-leash exercise is permitted outside the daylight saving period after 9am or before 5pm daily,” he said.
“An identical off-leash dog exercise area east of the Rosebud jetty has no such restrictions.” Mr Chalkley said Mornington Peninsula Shire “confirms there is no data to support why the unique McCrae beach winter time restrictions exist”. He said walking dogs off-leash met council’s objective of encouraging responsible dog owners to have fun with their dogs at designated areas around the peninsula. However, weather and reduced hours of daylight during winter denied dog walkers this opportunity on the McCrae beach without contravening existing restrictions. “There have been several instances lately where infringement notices attracting significant penalties have
been served by shire rangers on unsuspecting dog walkers,” Mr Chalkley said. “Members of the McCrae beach dog walking community are responsible dog owners who enjoy both the social and health benefits of being able to walk their dogs off-leash. “They also provide a valuable community service by removing rubbish such as plastic bags, broken glass, fishing line and hooks and other items that are dangerous to marine and birds.” The dog walkers are writing to councillors and collecting signatures on a petition to have the winter offleash restrictions lifted. Details: call Bill Chalkley, 0418 324 756.
Rosebud Skin Cancer Clinic OPENING SOON! Now taking appointments. Call 5986 1600.
BULK BILL skin check for aged pensioners Experienced professional skin cancer doctors all awarded by the College of Skin Cancer. Dr Sally Shaw, fellows CCANZ and Dr Mary Kai Tai, Dip Dermoscopy and Dip of Skin Cancer.
1079 Point Nepean Road, Rosebud Ph: 5986 1600 PAGE 6
Southern Peninsula News 27 June 2017