UPDATE
Three Melton children have been left without their parents after a horror crash in Truganina on Thursday morning.
Police believe the mother, 39, and father, 43, were killed when their red Mazda SUV collided with a truck in a head-on collision on Hopkins Road about 6am.
Their 19-year-old daughter was in the vehicle at the time and has been taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition.
It is believed she has two teenage brothers, who were not in the car at the time.
One of the truck drivers was also taken Royal Melbourne Hospital and is also believed to be in a stable condition.
The driver of the second truck is assisting police with their enquiries.
Detective Sergeant Mark Amos of the Major Collision Investigation Unit said two trucks, both carrying trailers, and three four-wheel-drives were involved in the string of collisions, which culminated in the fatal head-on crash.
“The parents have died, and today we have got three teenagers who are without parents,” he said.
He said police were investigating the cause of the crash, but reconstructing the movements of the five vehicles involved would take a long time.
Family friend Sheryl Alatiit told Seven News the Filipino family’s Melton friends would be “gutted”.
“She’s a very good mother and always thought about her kids. We are all shocked,” Ms Alatiit said.
“They’re a good couple. They’re a very religious family.”
Hopkins Road remained closed in both directions between the Western Freeway and Middle Road for several hours, with detours in place via the Western Freeway and Dohertys Road. Motorists have been advised to avoid the area.
The narrow nature of the road meant trucks near the accident were unable to turn around and are stuck at the scene.
In the five years to 2012 there were 28 crashes, including one fatal, along Hopkins Road in Truganina, analysis of VicRoads data shows. Truck drivers said the conditions on Thursday morning were particularly dangerous, after days of hot weather followed by rain.
Police are calling on any witnesses to the collision to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
with The Age
