Two teens hurt in car accident

POLICE are investigating two serious crashes on the first day of a ramped up police operation aimed at reducing trauma on the region’s roads.

Two young women were flown to hospitals in Melbourne after one of two collisions on Thursday.

The 19-year-olds from Cohuna and Kennington were travelling west along the Midland Highway about 8.30pm when their car veered onto the opposite side of the road and collided with a four-wheel drive vehicle, police say.

They were trapped for a short time before emergency services freed them.

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said one teen was taken to the Royal Mel- bourne Hospital in a stable condition with leg and pelvic injuries while the second was taken to The Alfred hospital, also in a stable condition, with injuries to her abdomen and chest.

Hours later a car went over an embankment on Anglesea Rd at Bellbrae about 11pm.

The car flipped on its roof before crashing into an unoccupied car and trailer, police say.

Officers searched but were unable to find the driver.

He was later found under a tree on Moores Rd, about 500m from the scene.

The 27-year-old sustained minor injuries and was ordered to take a preliminary breath test to which he allegedly returned a positive reading.

He was taken to Geelong hospital for observation and is expected to be charged on summons with drink-driving and other traffic-related offences.

Victoria Police road policing command Acting Assistant Commissioner Neville Taylor said Geelong, the Surf Coast, Melbourne, Casey and the Bass Coast had been identified as priority areas for Operation Scoreboard.

“We urge all drivers to take regular breaks, take it easy on any unfamiliar roads and to drive to the conditions,” Mr Taylor said.

“We want people to go out and have a great time, to enjoy the sportsmanship, celebrations and commiserations of what the Grand Final brings, but, most importantly, we want everyone using our roads to be safe.”