Pile-up hits Eastern Freeway peak-hour traffic

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Pile-up hits Eastern Freeway peak-hour traffic
Tom Arup - the Age
July 9, 2008 - 8:26AM
Wet weather has caused dangerous conditions for drivers this morning, with a woman killed in East Gippsland and a 11-car pile-up on the Eastern Freeway.

The woman died when her car ran off a sweeping left-hand bend and hit a tree on Forge Creek Road near Eagle Point about 5.30am, police said.

Police said officers were still examining the crash site and the identity and age of the woman were yet to be confirmed.

In Melbourne, cars spun and flipped on the Eastern Freeway after a spectacular 11-car crash near Blackburn North.

Peak-hour commuter traffic was brought to a standstill after the accident between Middleborough Rd and Blackburn Rd about 6.30am.

The multiple crashes occurred after a car travelling on the freeway did a 180-degree spin, causing following vehicles to smash into each other.

One car flipped over in the chaos with a 45-year-old female trapped in the vehicle for an hour. The driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Ambulance crews assessed a further 11 people but no other injuries were recorded.

Police are finalising their investigations into the incident, but an ambulance spokesman said 11 vehicles were involved in the smash.

All lanes have been reopened on the freeway, after being restricted to a single lane after the accident.

VicRoads is urging motorists to find alternative routes, with city-bound traffic still heavy along the freeway.

Traffic was reasonably light across the rest of Melbourne's roads despite wet conditions and a number of traffic incidents, the spokesman said.

In the city, a cyclist was serious injured when he was hit by a car just after 4.30am this morning in Flinders Street.

The 35-year-old cyclist was sedated by paramedics and taken to the Alfred hospital in a "serious condition".

Traffic outbound on the Westgate Freeway was also delayed between Williamstown and Millers Road after a multi-car crash in which two people were injured.

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Gee...we should always remember, when snowing or raining, never step the brake to completely stop the car in one stroke, 'cos that will cause u lose control of the car on slippery ground.

release the gas first, then step on the brake in a series of strokes. as u can't stop immediately as when the driving conditions are good, drive at a lower speed in such conditions.

Good luck, mate...