OCEAN ROAD BUS SMASH
Teens in hospital after collision on famed tourist route
TWO teenagers were flown to hospital with serious injuries after a V/Line bus and a car collided along the Great Ocean Road near Separation Creek.
Another five people — a man in his 60s, a woman in her 50s, a man in his 50s and two female teenagers — were taken to hospital in Lorne.
The famed tourist route was closed between Lorne and Wye River for several hours after the crash. The collision happened on a stretch with steep drops and it appears both vehicles were lucky not to have left the road.
TWO teenagers have been flown to hospital with serious injuries after a V/Line bus and a car collided along the Great Ocean Road near Separation Creek.
The Great Ocean Road was closed along a stretch between Lorne and Wye River for several hours following the serious crash.
Police are investigating the incident, which saw seven people taken to hospital.
Paramedics were called to the collision site about 10.30am on Wednesday.
An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said seven people were assessed at the scene, and two air ambulances were sent.
A female teenager was flown to The Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition with upper and lower body injuries.
A second female teenager was flown to The Royal Children’s Hospital, also in a stable condition with upper and lower body injuries.
“A further five people were all taken by road ambulance to Lorne Community Hospital,” the spokeswoman said. “They include a man in his 60s, a woman in her 50s, a man in his 50s and two female teenagers.
“All five patients were transported in stable conditions with no obvious injuries.”
A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed police were investigating a collision at Separation Creek.
“It is understood a bus carrying 11 passengers collided with a silver Holden Commodore sedan car with two occupants,” the spokeswoman said.
The bus driver was treated at the scene after suffering a suspected medical condition and taken to hospital by an ambulance, she said.
“The two occupants of the Holden Commodore were airlifted to hospital with serious injuries,” the spokeswoman said.
Two people were trapped in the collision, which occurred near the Artillery Rocks lookout. Both were safely extricated by VICSES about 11.30am.
A V/Line spokeswoman said Transport Safety Victoria had been notified and the cause of the incident would be investigated. “Emergency services have attended the scene of an incident involving a car and a coach which was operating V/Line’s 9.38am Apollo Bay to Geelong service,” the spokeswoman said. “Two replacement coaches were sent to the scene for passengers to continue their journey to Geelong, once given the all clear by emergency services.”