FIVE-CAR PILEUP

30-minute struggle to free victims

FIVE people were treated for injuries in hospital after a multi-vehicle crash at Belmont.

Police said it appeared one motorist failed to stop at a red light, before colliding with four other vehicles at the intersection of Barwon Heads and Breakwater roads, about 9.45am yesterday.

Emergency service crews worked for more than half an hour to free two trapped occupants, using the jaws of life to eventually remove car doors to get to the injured couple.

The smash caused significant traffic delays with the major intersection closed for more than two hours before it was reopened shortly after noon.

Sergeant Dan Willsmore said significant CFA and SES resources went to the scene, where both gas and petrol were leaking from the damaged vehicles.

“First indications are it appears a northbound car has failed to stop at the red light and collided with two westbound vehicles, causing them to spin around,” Sgt Willsmore said.

“The force of the impact then saw it hit the other vehicles.”

South Barwon SES incident controller Scott Clark said significant rear-end damage to the silver sedan caused two people to be trapped inside.

“We worked together on both patients and performed full side removals on both sides of the car with the jaws of life,” Mr Clark said. “CFA worked to contain the leaks.”

An Ambulance Victoria spokesman said five people were taken to Geelong hospital and all were in a stable condition.

A silver Toyota sedan, white Holden Commodore, white Nissan Navara and grey Ford sedan were all towed from the scene.

A fifth car, a damaged blue Ford Territory, could be driven from the site.

Investigations are continuing.