Horsham Inspector's road safety message after fatal Dimboola Road incident
A HORSHAM man, 24, has died after a hit-and-run on Dimboola Road, Horsham on Thursday morning.
Emergency services were called to the scene after reports of a collision between a vehicle and cyclist about 6.30am.
The road was closed between Jenkinson Avenue and Curran Road for several hours while police investigations involving the Major Collision Investigation Unit took place.
Victoria Police were still seeking information from the public when the Wimmera Mail-Times went to press on Thursday.
Police were calling on any witnesses to the crash, or anyone with dash cam footage, to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The crash took the number of road deaths in the Horsham municipality in 2019 to five, compared to two in 2018.
Horsham police Inspector Di Thomson has urged Wimmera residents to recognise the impact crashes had on people and their families.
"All emergency services that respond to crashes are impacted, as are the witnesses, the trauma units and the theatre operators at the hospitals the victims are taken to," she said.
"Their families are traumatised, and (there is also an impact) on the places they work, or their sports teams."
Transport Accident Commission data, released on Wednesday, shows across the Hindmarsh, Horsham, West Wimmera, Ararat, Northern Grampians and Yarriambiack areas, there have been 12 road deaths in the year to date.
This compares to 10 in 2018.
The authority released the data as it prepares to bring its large, interactive "This Christmas" mural to Horsham Plaza on Saturday.
TAC senior manager of 'Towards Zero' engagement, Meg Jacobs, said the mural featured Wimmera landmarks and encouraged motorists to make a pledge to stay safe this festive season.
The statewide road toll for 2019 is 259, with more than half in regional areas and 54 more than the year before.
Rolling updates
Update Thursday 4.36pm:
Dimboola Road has reopened in both directions. A statement from VicRoads reads.
"The Western Highway, Horsham has been re-opened in both directions between Obrees Road and Jenkinson Avenue following a serious collision this morning.
"The Department of Transport thanks motorists for their patience and safe driving while Victoria Police conducted investigations."
Update 1.26pm:
Horsham Police Inspector Di Thomson has urged Wimmera residents to consider the impact all collisions, not just fatal ones, have on those involved.
Her comments come after a 24-year-old Horsham man died in a hit and run on Dimboola Road on Thursday morning.
Inspector Thomson said road deaths were a tragedy at all times of year, not just in the lead up to Christmas.
"Fatalities are often discussed in relation to the road toll, but collisions generally have an impact on everyone," she said.
"All emergency services that respond are impacted, the witnesses, the trauma units and the theatre operators at the hospitals those involved are taken to. Their families are traumatised, and (there is also an impact) on the places they work, their sports teams if they are involved.
"It's about giving yourself enough time to get from point A to point B, and stepping back to realise the impact road trauma can have on people's lives."
Inspector Thomson said she could not comment on the investigation into the incident as it was being handled by the Major Collision Investigation Unit.
Update 12.41pm:
Dimboola Road remains closed between Jenkinson Avenue and Curran Road through Horsham, as police continue to investigate a fatal hit and run.
Traffic has been reduced to one lane at the Baillie-Urquhart Street intersection, where Western Highway vehicles are being diverted north along Kalkee Road.
Vehicles are backing up towards the McPherson Street intersection.
More to come.
Update 10am:
VicRoads has updated its detour recommendations for motorists affected by the road closure. It says:
"Melbourne-bound (eastbound) traffic is being detoured using Nhill-Harrow Road, Natimuk-Francis Road and the Wimmera Highway.
"Adelaide-bound (westbound) traffic should detour along Kalkee Road and the Borung Highway."
The road closure at Dimboola Road.
Update 9.40am:
Police have confirmed a 24-year-old Horsham man has died as a result of the incident on Dimboola Road.
Emergency services were called to Dimboola Road after reports of a collision between a vehicle and cyclist about 6.30am.
The air ambulance had previously been called to the scene.
Traffic being diverted down Jenkinson Avenue off Dimboola Road after an incident that paramedics say has left a cyclist in a critical condition. pic.twitter.com/vU3IaIjT45
— Wimmera Mail-Times (@Wim_Mail_Times) December 18, 2019
In a statement, Victoria Police said: "Drivers are advised that the Western Highway between Jenkinson Avenue and Curran Road is closed. The investigation is ongoing and the Major Collision Investigation Unit is attending."
"Anyone who witnessed the collision, with dash cam footage or with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000."
It takes the number of road deaths in the Horsham municipality in 2019 to five, compared to two in 2018.
8.45am: DIMBOOLA Road remains closed between Obrees/Riley Road and Jenkinson Avenue, after a cyclist was injured in an incident on Thursday morning.
In a statement, Ambulance Victoria said paramedics were called to the road at 6.30am.
"The man has head injuries and is in a critical condition," it said.
Horsham Police could not provide any further information as of 8.30am.
In a statement, VicRoads said motorists should use Curran Road and Natimuk Road to avoid the closure.
"All emergency services are on scene, the Western Highway will open to traffic once investigations are complete and it is safe to do so," it said.
"The Department of Transport thanks motorists for their patience."
More to come.