Four Pacific Island farm workers killed in fiery crash near Mansfield, Victoria. Police suspect alcohol was involved. Road safety experts and support groups call for action to prevent further tragedies.

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Four farm workers from the Pacific Islands have tragically lost their lives in a fiery crash in Victoria’s north-east, according to police. The victims, who were in their 20s and worked in the vegetable industry in and around Mansfield, had been visiting friends at Macs Cove on Lake Eildon before the accident occurred on Mansfield-Woods Point Road in Piries. Investigators believe that alcohol was a factor in the crash.

Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir from Road Policing Command expressed his concern over the incident and emphasized the need for road safety. He stated that some relatives of the victims may need to be brought to Australia as part of the identification process.

In another incident on the same day, a driver and passenger were killed when their hatchback crossed onto the wrong side of the Midland Highway and collided with a truck and a ute at Goornong near Bendigo. Assistant Commissioner Weir revealed that the victims in this crash had recently arrived in Australia from Bangladesh, and the cause of the accident is still under investigation.

The number of road deaths in Victoria has reached a worrying level, with 258 fatalities reported so far this year. This figure exceeds the total number of deaths recorded in 2022, when 241 people lost their lives. This alarming rate has not been seen since 2008.

Assistant Commissioner Weir expressed his concern about the upcoming Christmas period, as it tends to be a busy time with people attending various functions and enjoying the good weather. He made a plea to all road users to prioritize safety and emphasized that no excuses should be made for disobeying traffic laws or driving under the influence. He stated that the police are doing everything they can to keep people safe.

Sam Cockfield, the executive general manager of road safety at the Transport Accident Commission, described the current statistics as horrific and expressed her disbelief at the consecutive weekends with multiple fatalities. She raised concerns about drivers making small errors and losing concentration behind the wheel, particularly on country roads. She emphasized the importance of staying focused and alert while driving, as accidents at high speeds can be devastating.

Bernadette Nugent from the road safety support and education organization Amber Community stressed the responsibility of all road users to exercise caution. She urged individuals to consider the potential consequences before getting behind the wheel or using the road. Nugent also highlighted the long-lasting impact of road accidents on the families and loved ones left behind, emphasizing that life never returns to normal after such a tragedy.

In light of the recent crashes and the increasing number of road deaths, road safety experts and support groups are urging everyone to be vigilant and take necessary precautions while traveling. They encourage individuals who are struggling with the loss of a loved one or traumatic experiences on the roads to seek support and not isolate themselves. Amber Community is available to provide assistance and a listening ear to those in need.

Overall, the current road safety situation in Victoria is alarming, and concerted efforts are needed from all road users to prevent further tragedies..