Truckie trapped in creek crash

By Lia Bichel
CFA crews took 90 minutes to free a truck driver from a semi-trailer which crashed into a creek in Dandenong North on Friday morning.
The man, 40, was travelling onStud Road towards Scoresbywhen his truck left the road and careered into Dandenong Creek about 9.40am. The fully loaded trailer containing 16 tons of reclaimed concrete, was thrown from the vehicle and into the creek.
Ambulance Victoria group manager Andy Roughton said the nose of the semi was embedded into one creek bank, with the semi trailer’s rear wheels on the other bank.
“The whole truck was tilted on a 45-degree angle,” he said.
“There was extensive damage to the cabin with the truck driver trapped from the waist down. We couldn’t even see his legs.”
CFA crews cut the truck’s roof to free the man, who had suffered a head injury. He was flown by helicopter to The Alfred hospital in a stable condition.
Mr Roughton said the man was “incredibly lucky to have escaped more serious injuries”.
Traffic was diverted on to Brady and Wellington roads.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au.