Pane-ful minibus collision

SHATTERED glass covered the highway after an international tourist driving a minibus collided with a glazier’s truck in Torquay yesterday.

Emergency services were called to the scene, at the intersection of the Surf Coast Highway and Coombes Rd, about 11am. Torquay Sergeant Brian McKiterick said it appeared the international tourist had failed to give way when turning off the highway, which was subsequently blocked for 90 minutes to northbound traffic.

It is understood a woman in her 30s, who was a passenger aboard the minibus, was taken to Geelong hospital with minor head injuries.

The incident is the latest in a string of smashes involving tourists on our roads.

In December, a European man was allegedly driving on the wrong side of Cape Otway Road when he collided with a truck and later died in hospital.

In another incident, a Chinese national was charged over a crash at Birregurra on Boxing Day that left one man dead.

In December, former policeman and Corangamite councillor Simon Illingworth proposed a raft of measures to curb accidents involving international drivers.

Cr Illingworth’s plan included a review of police impound powers, mandatory “keep left” stickers in hire cars and driving information booklets in Mandarin and other languages.

Police are continuing to investigate yesterday’s crash at Torquay. Witnesses are encouraged to contact Torquay Police on 5264 3400.