A YARRA Ranges highway patrol officer has described an crash in The Basin that killed one man as the worst he has ever witnessed during his career.
Leading senior constable Scott Lardner said a 25-year-old male from The Basin died instantly when his car became air-borne and crashed after striking a concrete drain pipe in Liverpool Road at 6.13pm last night.
Senior constable Lardner was conducting speed checks from Dobsons Road (off Liverpool Road) from an unmarked vehicle when he saw the car ‘‘fly past’’ at 163 km/h in an 80 km/h zone.
The man lost control of his car when it hit a concrete drain pipe next to Dandenong Creek.
It veered onto the other side of the road before becoming airborne and exploding. The deceased man was thrown from his car and landed about six metres away. He was not wearing a seat belt.
The engine was also thrown from the car and was burning beside the creek. Senior constable Lardner said a witness grabbed an extinguisher and put the fire out.
Senior constable Lardner was unable to revive the 25 year old. There were no other occupants in the car.
The dead man’s father arrived at the scene because he had a feeling something had happened after his son had left the house in a distressed state, Senior constable Lardner told the Weekly.
It is not known if drugs or alcohol were involved.
Senior constable Lardner said he couldn’t believe his eyes as the accident unfolded before him. ‘‘It was like watching one of those crash shows on television — I was looking through the windows in just disbelief. I was in the wrong place at the right time.’’
He credited the SES and CFA for their help throughout the hours after the accident providing traffic management support, lighting and clean-up works. .
A report will be prepared for the coroner by police.