Eight people have died in crashes across Victoria during the opening days of the Melbourne Cup long weekend, with several others hospitalised, including people with life-threatening injuries.
The fatalities occurred in Brighton East, Blairgowrie, Maryborough, Werribee, Dennington, Footscray and Healesville. Four of the fatal crashes involved motorcycles.
The latest incident included in the reported toll was a collision between a car and a motorcycle in Brighton East on Sunday evening. Both drivers died, while a child travelling in the car was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Police are investigating the circumstances of the crashes and appealing for witnesses and relevant footage.
Two Men Die in Brighton East Collision
Emergency services were called to the intersection of South Road and Olive Street in Brighton East at about 6:30pm on Sunday, November 1, following reports of a collision between a car and a motorcycle.
Victoria Police said the male motorcycle rider and male car driver died at the scene. A child passenger in the car was transported to hospital with minor injuries.
The men had not been formally identified when police issued their initial statement.
Moorabbin Highway Patrol is investigating. Police said the exact circumstances surrounding the collision were yet to be established.
Where the Fatal Crashes Occurred
The reported eight deaths occurred across seven separate crashes.
| Location | Reported incident | Fatalities |
|---|---|---|
| Brighton East | Car and motorcycle collision | 2 |
| Blairgowrie | Motorcycle struck a tree | 1 |
| Maryborough | Collision between two cars | 1 |
| Werribee | Ute struck a tree | 1 |
| Dennington | Pedestrian struck by a vehicle | 1 |
| Footscray | Car and motorcycle collision | 1 |
| Healesville | Car and motorcycle collision | 1 |
| Total | Seven fatal crashes | 8 |
A separate collision involving an e-bike in Moolap left two teenagers injured, including one with life-threatening injuries. That incident was not included in the eight reported deaths.
Blairgowrie Motorcycle Crash Leaves One Dead
A 26-year-old man died after a motorcycle carrying two men struck a tree in Blairgowrie on Saturday night.
The other man, aged 29, suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. The initial reporting described the motorcycle as losing control before striking the tree, but a final cause has not been established.
Driver Killed in Maryborough Two-Car Crash
A collision between two cars on Park Road in Maryborough claimed the life of one male driver.
His female passenger was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
The driver of the second car, a 20-year-old man, was not injured. His 17-year-old female passenger was hospitalised with minor injuries.
The collision forms part of the wider police investigation into the weekend’s fatal incidents.
Werribee Ute Driver Dies After Hitting Tree
In Melbourne’s west, the male driver of a ute died after the vehicle struck a tree in Werribee on Saturday night.
He was the vehicle’s sole occupant.
Investigators are examining the circumstances leading up to the crash. The available account does not establish why the vehicle left its path.
Woman Fatally Struck in Dennington
A 75-year-old woman died after being struck by a vehicle at a pedestrian crossing in Dennington, Warrnambool, at about 12:20pm on Saturday.
Police said the driver stopped and provided immediate assistance.
The woman died at the scene. The circumstances of the collision remain under investigation.
Motorcyclists Killed in Footscray and Healesville
Two further fatal crashes involving motorcycles occurred on Friday.
In Footscray, a male motorcyclist died following a collision with a car.
The car’s 59-year-old male driver was not injured and remained at the scene. Police interviewed him and released him pending further enquiries.
In Healesville, another motorcyclist died in a collision with a car at about 7:15pm.
Together with the Brighton East and Blairgowrie incidents, these brought the number of fatal crashes involving motorcycles to four.
Teenagers Injured in Moolap E-Bike Collision
Police are also investigating a collision between an e-bike and a car in Moolap, near Geelong, on Saturday.
A teenage passenger on the e-bike was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The rider, a 17-year-old boy, was also injured.
The injuries highlight the broader impact of the weekend’s crashes beyond the reported fatalities. Hospital conditions described in initial reports may change as patients receive treatment.
Investigations Continue Into Separate Incidents
The crashes occurred in different locations and circumstances. Their occurrence over the same weekend does not establish a common cause.
Investigators will need to determine what happened in each case, including the movements of the vehicles and other road users before impact.
There has been no basis in the reporting reviewed to attribute all seven fatal crashes to speeding, alcohol, distraction or any other single factor.
Similarly, being interviewed by police does not establish that a driver has committed an offence. The Footscray driver’s release pending further enquiries should be reported in that context.
Police Appeal for Witnesses and Footage
Police are asking people with information about the crashes to come forward.
For the Brighton East collision, investigators specifically requested information from witnesses and anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage.
Anyone able to assist can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report through its Victorian website.
People providing information should identify the relevant location and approximate time so investigators can connect their account or footage with the correct incident.
The reported toll remains eight deaths across seven crashes as investigations continue into the opening days of the Melbourne Cup long weekend.
