Seasonal workers dead in crash in Aust.

By Shalveen Chand 25 June 2024, 9:00PM

Two Samoan migrant farm workers are believed to have died and nine others have been injured following a major crash in northern Victoria in Australia on Tuesday morning.

Sky News reported that multiple ambulances responded to a collision in Carwarp, near Mildura, at about 7.45 am on Tuesday, after a minibus rolled and crashed into a tree.

According to Sky News, the police said the minibus crashed while attempting to overtake another vehicle on the Calder Highway between Kulkyne Way and Brownport Road.

It was reported that advanced Life Support and mobile Intensive Care Ambulance paramedics attended the scene, as well as an air ambulance.

The report said that two passengers died at the scene, while the driver and eight other passengers were injured in the accident.

According to Sky News, Victoria Police said one passenger had been airlifted to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital after sustaining critical injuries.

The male driver of the minibus is understood to have sustained critical injuries and has been transported to Mildura Base Public Hospital for treatment.  

Of the seven remaining passengers, three have been taken to hospital with serious injuries while four were taken to hospital for observation.

Sergeant Mark McDonald of the Mildura Highway Patrol Unit told the media that the minibus was filled with migrant farm workers employed on nearby properties.

"We believe it (the vehicle) was attempting to overtake another vehicle and lost control and collided with a tree," the police sergeant said, according to media reports.

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and are attempting to contact the relatives of those killed and injured.

The Calder Highway between Kulkyn Way and Brownport Road was closed for several hours.

By Shalveen Chand 25 June 2024, 9:00PM
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