Five people, including three adults and two young
children, were killed instantly after their Ford sedan
collided with a transit van travelling in the opposite
direction on the Borung Highway, five kilometres from
Donald at about 12.40pm (AEST) yesterday.

HOOROO

UNCLE WALLY

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http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20482905-2,00.html

Fatal sedan failed to give way

By staff writers and wires
September 27, 2006 08:51am

OFFICERS from the Victoria Police Major Collision Investigation Unit
are continuing to piece together what happened in the state's worst
road tragedy since 1993.

Five people, including three adults and two young children, were killed
instantly after their Ford sedan collided with a transit van travelling
in the opposite direction on the Borung Highway, five kilometres from
Donald at about 12.40pm (AEST) yesterday.

The driver of the van and a passenger were also killed as the combined
wreckage erupted into a massive fireball.

Debris from the crash was strewn for 200m.

Those killed in the car were Horsham man Max Purdue, 38, his close
friend Dan Kelly, 38, Mr Kelly's two young children - one in a baby
capsule - and 17-year-old Mandy Niblett.

Ms Niblett is the partner of Mr Purdue's son Mick. They have a
two-year-old daughter, Mia Rose, who was not in the car.

Police said it may take some time for them to officially identify the
victims due to the severity of the crash.

Yesterday, police on the scene said the Ford sedan appeared to have
failed to give way at the intersection.

Acting Inspector Jeff Smith said it appeared the car had driven south
through the intersection and into the path of the north-bound Transit.

"I have seen some pretty terrible things in my career and this is right
up there," Insp Smith said.

"It is the sort of stuff nightmares are made of down there.

"That is a really high impact and I would say that's a non-survivable
impact. It is just horrific for everyone."

Mick Purdue last night told The Herald Sun he was devastated at losing
his father and partner.

"She was only 17 and Mia Rose is two. I can't believe it. I'm
shattered," he said.

"He (my father) was so funny, such a fun-loving guy, such a good bloke
to everyone. He had little money, but if he had money, he'd give it to
you."

Mr Purdue said his father was a long-time friend of Mr Kelly, from
Balranald, where Mick had recently bought property.

The group were returning from the property when tragedy struck.

It was the worst single road disaster in Victoria since a bus smash
near Wangaratta claimed 10 lives in 1993.

Locals told the Herald Sun the intersection, where the Borung Highway
meets the Donald-Swan Hill Rd, was an accident waiting to happen.

Local CFA volunteer Adam Campbell said he saw smoke in the distance as
he drove home from Donald.

"When I arrived it was just a big ball of flames," Mr Campbell said.

"I rang home and made sure my wife was home. It was just a mangled
mess.

"The other car (sedan) was too wrecked to know.

"I didn't think there was much hope (of survivors) when I got there. It
was horrific."

Mr Campbell said there had been a number of near misses at the
intersection and a neighbour claimed he had been waiting for years for
a major collision.

"One road is a highway and the other has as much traffic as a highway,"
he said.

"It has a Give Way sign but it's a straight road and drivers just keep
going."

The burning vehicles started a grass and scrub fire which was doused by
fire crews.

Three ambulances were sent to the scene but there was nothing they
could do.

Donald Hotel publican Carol Monish said the crash had shocked the
township, which had been celebrating its victories in the local
football, netball and hockey leagues.

"It was just a terrific weekend for the whole town. Everybody was on a
high, but not now," Mrs Monish said.

She said locals called the ping corner Six Mile Bend and it was treated
with caution.

"Going to Swan Hill, it's hard to see traffic on your left," Mrs Monish
said.

"It's an intersection you have to have respect for."

The Borung Highway remained closed last night as police officers worked
to establish what had happened.

With no eyewitnesses or survivors, they will have to use tyre marks,
the wreckage and other factors to conclusively determine the deadly
chain of events.

A forensic dental technician travelled to the area last night to
confirm the identities of the dead.

A coroner and an anthropologist were also at the scene.

Premier Steve Bracks said his heart went out to the family and friends
of the victims.

"It has been a horror month on our roads and we have seen a senseless
loss of life which has left families without their mothers, fathers,
sons and daughters," Mr Bracks said.

"I feel for the all the emergency services workers such as police
officers, ambulance and SES volunteers who have been called out, day
after day, to attend these horrific crashes.

"On behalf of all Victorians I thank them."

The Donald smash was the second in Victoria this year to claim six or
more lives.

In February, six young people died when a car ran out of control and
ploughed into them near Mildura.

Victoria's road toll stands at 239, compared with 257 at the same time
last year.

With AAP, Shannon McRae, Jacqueline Freegard, Anthony Dowsley and Mark
Buttler

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