Driver killed on danger road

By Kath Gannaway
THE DEATH of a 57-year-old Eumemmering truck driver last Wednesday has led to renewed calls for a reduction of the speed limit on The Slide at Dixons Creek.
Yarra Glen police Sergeant Yvonne Strawhorn said the collision occurred at 9.50am.
Sgt Strawhorn said the driver was travelling towards Dixons Creek, near Healesville, when he lost control of the vehicle, swerved and over-corrected sending him into the embankment.
“That has thrown him in the other lane and into the guard rail before he crashed down the steep embankment and into a tree,” she said.
The speed limit on that section of the highway is 100km/h, and Sgt Strawhorn said the man was believed to be travelling at around 85 or 90 – below the legal limit.
She said the road conditions at the time, and the condition of the road itself, dictated a lower speed.
“There was quite a bit of traffic travelling in both directions, and it is just fortunate that there weren’t more casualties.
“Other drivers had to slam on their brakes to avoid being involved,” she said.
“The condition of the road here is poor and even though a lot of work has been done on the shoulders, and putting up more guard rail, it is not suited in my opinion to a 100 kilometre speed limit.”
VicRoads has said a review of the speed limit would be part of their investigation into the crash.
The highway was closed to traffic until around 4pm when Lilydale SES members were able to remove the man’s body from the cabin of the truck.