NEWS
IN BRIEF Ferntree Gully fatal
From left; Peter Hall, recipient James Gluskie, Anthony & Travis Hall Memorial convenor Jody Yandle, Mark Lane, from Murcotts Driving Excellence and in the fire truck recipient Jesse Heymann.
A pedestrian died in Ferntree Gully after being struck by a bus. Police said the incident happened on Burwood Highway just after 7.30pm on Wednesday 12 December. The man is yet to be identified and died at the scene. The bus driver was assisting police with their inquiries. The exact cause of the incident is yet to be determined and Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives will investigate. Anyone who witnessed the incident should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Seeking witnesses Police are seeking public help after a car crashed into a house in The Basin. They said a blue Subaru station wagon was travelling north on Mountain Highway, The Basin, about 9.50am on Monday 10 December, lost control and veered off the road and crashed into a house. The driver, a 16-year-old girl, and occupants of the house were taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Police are seeking any information or video footage of the vehicle driving on Mountain Highway before the collision.
Belgrave burglary Police are investigating a break-in at a home on Arbor Avenue, Belgrave, that occurred between 7am and 5pm on 11 December. They told the Mail that thieves stole almost $600 worth of electrical items and gardening tools. Anyone with information should call Belgrave Police on 9754 6677.
Road to safety By Derek Schlennstedt Over two decades have passed since Peter Hall's two teenage sons; Anthony and Travis were tragically killed in a Cockatoo car accident. From that tragedy came a defensive driving course set up by Peter to curb the road toll and perpetuate the memory of his sons. This year marked two decades since the inception of the Anthony and Travis Hall Memorial Driver Education Fund, and on 12 December three young CFA members were given the opportunity to improve their driving skills. Jody Yandle, Convenor of the Anthony and Travis Hall Memorial Fund, presented young CFA members James Gluskie and Jesse Heymann with the award." It's an important year being twenty year
since the fund first began," Ms Yandle said. I would like to thank you both for applying and congratulate you on being chosen ... I hope you enjoy your time with Murcotts, because it is a great experience and I'm sure you'll come out of it better drivers and safer drivers." The Memorial Education Fund, in partnership with Murcotts Driving Excellence, provides young drivers with a number of safe driving courses, which are valued around $300 apiece. Combined with the work of local identity Peter Marke and sponsorship from businesses and residents, in its twenty years the drivers fund has seen around just over 100 drivers take on the course and learn how to navigate dangerous and potentially life-threatening situations.
The Mail spoke to Peter Hall who said the important message for young drivers was that the learning process never stopped, and was grateful that the fund was continuing to help young drivers navigate the road. "We started off small, getting a few through, but we've started getting support not just from brigades but individuals and businesses up in the hills, and it's gradually snowballed on from there," Mr Hall said. "But I have to give credit to peter Marke there's no way it'd be where it is now without him. "It's really going now, we've got Jodie on board and coming up with some new ideas, so it's great and really firing." Both 19-year-old recipients Jesse Heymann and James Gluskie said they looked forward to taking part in the driving course.
Out-of-control truck hits seven cars On Tuesday 11 of December at about 8:20am, a truck travelling South on Mt Dandenong Tourist road, Upper Ferntree Gully lost control and collided with several vehicles before coming to a stop on Burwood highway near Dawson street. The truck travelling west on Mount Dandenong Tourist road in Upper Ferntree Gully careered into a number of vehicles also travelling west, and a man, initially trapped in a vehicle, was taken to the Alfred Hospital in a serious
condition with head and chest injuries. A number of other people were also conveyed to hospital with serious but non-lifethreatening injuries. Investigations are continuing and anyone with information or dash-cam footage is urged to contact Knox highway patrol on 9881 7900. Alternatively you an contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
a Safe and Happy Christmas
An out-of-control truck slammed into a total of seven vehicles in Upper Ferntree Gully, this morning.
Drive to conditions Following heavy rain, Belgrave Police Sergeant Paul Phillips warned drivers to slow down and drive to the conditions. Over the course of four days, police attended three accidents along Monbulk Road following heavy rain. “In these weather conditions people need to drive carefully,” he said. “We find that when it rains and we get storms we do get a few more collisions than normal. “When conditions deteriorate it’s important to slow down and drive to those conditions... when it’s wet you simply can’t take the corners as quickly as you would have if it was dry.”
Christmas warning Victoria Police is boosting its presence on the roads over the Christmas and New Year period, with motorists urged to slow down and get to their celebrations safely. Police and Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville joined Victoria Police to launch the 24-day Operation Roadwise campaign and remember the 200 lives already lost this year. All road users will be targeted, including heavy vehicles, light trucks, cars, motorcycles, cyclists and pedestrians. Drivers are encouraged to reduce their own risk on the road by ensuring their vehicle is roadworthy, practising stop-revive-survive strategies, staying off their mobile phones and being alert on unfamiliar roads.
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