Head-on horror
A LEONGATHA woman was killed in Lang Lang on Monday (April 6) when police said an oncoming car allegedly crossed the double white lines and caused a head-on collision.
The deceased was confirmed as Leongatha’s Rosemary Wood, 73.
Her husband Max suffered life threatening injuries and was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital, where he is in a stable condition.
The female driver of the other vehicle was also seriously injured and airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
The South Gippsland Highway was blocked at both directions by police from the Bass Coast Highway Patrol.
Police from the Major Collisions Unit are investigating the crash. An initial assessment was conducted and a witness confirmed the offending driver crossed double white lines to go around the corner.
The investigation is ongoing and neither driver has been spoken to by the Major Collisions Unit.
Bass Coast Highway Patrol said conditions were fine at the time of the incident, with clear visibility.
Witnesses are urged to come forward with more information.
Mrs Wood was a beloved mother of five daughters, a loving wife and a renowned local in South Gippsland.
Her family moved to Port Welshpool when she was five and continued her life in South Gippsland from there.
She and Mr Wood were married in April 1963, and together they watched their daughters and grandchildren grow.
An avid golfer in her later years, Mrs Wood started her career in 1982 after a 10 year break, and continued to play right through to 2002 at Woorayl Golf Club in Leongatha. She received a life membership in 2011.
Mrs Wood was highly involved in Leongatha’s Daffodil Festival and was thrilled to be recognised for the photos she entered and won best daffodil in 2012. She had a knack for horticulture, which she showed in Leongatha’s Rose Show as well. Her roses brought much joy to her life.
She was dearly loved by her family.
The Bass Coast Highway Patrol was out on the roads during the four day weekend as part of Operation Crossroads.
Though the results have not been finalised, police were unhappy with the overall turn out.
More than 600 drivers were breathtested and random drug tests were also conducted. Police found 10 drivers who tested positive for drugs in their system while behind the wheel.
Numerous fines were handed down due to excessive speeds between 15 and 25km/h over the speed limit. Those who exceeded 25km/h over the speed limit suffered automatic loss of licence.
Seatbelt and mobile phone offences were also detected and tickets were issued for crossing the double white lines.
“We monitor drivers crossing the double white lines as closely as other offences,” Bass Coast Highway Patrol’s Senior Constable Alan Piening said.
“This Easter break has been the same as any other. People tend to forget their manners on the road when they are on holiday.”
Senior Constable Piening said drivers are too impatient on the roads and urged motorists to drive responsibly.
“We need drivers to listen to our messages and drive carefully,” he said.
“What makes matters worse is locals getting into trouble who know our roads.”
Tragedy: Leongatha’s Rosemary Wood passed away after a head-on collision at Lang Lang on Monday (April 6). Her husband Max Wood is in a serious condition at the Alfred Hospital.
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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Apr 8 2015. Filed under Featured, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
