Two adults killed, child flown to hospital after horror Christmas Eve crash
Two adults have been killed and a child flown to hospital following a horror Christmas Eve crash in the state's west.
Emergency services were called to a head-on collision between a Jeep Cherokee and a Holden Trax on the Portland-Nelson Road at Mount Richmond, west of Portland, about 10.25am.
A police spokeswoman said the driver and front seat passenger in the Holden died at the scene while a girl in the rear passenger seat sustained life-threatening injuries. She has been flown to the Royal Children's Hospital for treatment.
The spokeswoman said the driver of the Jeep, a 50-year-old man, sustained non life-threatening injuries and was "currently assisting investigators with their inquiries".
Detectives from the major collision investigation unit are investigating.
An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said the girl was being airlifted to the Royal Children's Hospital in a stable condition.
The deaths some just days after the force's road policing boss warned that police were bracing for a surge in car numbers on the state’s roads this festive season as overseas travel remains all but ruled out because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Assistant Commissioner Libby Murphy said rural and regional roads were of particular concern, with a significant number of motorists expected to travel long distances at high speeds on unfamiliar and busy roads.
Victoria's road toll for 2020 now stands at 208, down from 262 at the same time last year.
Anyone who witnessed the crash at Mount Richmond, or who may have dash cam footage, is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Erin covers crime for The Age. Most recently she was a police reporter at the Geelong Advertiser.