MOOLAP, Victoria — A teenager is fighting for his life in hospital following a serious collision between an electric bicycle carrying two boys and a vehicle at a busy intersection in regional Victoria.
Emergency services were called to the scene near the intersection of Portarlington Road and Whitehorse Road in Moolap, near Geelong, at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Saturday after reports of a crash.
Upon arrival, first responders found two teenage boys who had been riding together on a single e-bike when the collision occurred.
The collision resulted in varying injuries among those involved. The male teenage passenger on the e-bike sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted by emergency helicopter to a hospital for specialized care, though he has yet to be formally identified. Meanwhile, the 17-year-old operator of the e-bike suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital by road ambulance. The driver of the car involved remained at the scene following the crash and was uninjured.
Detectives from the Victoria Police Major Collision Investigation Unit are examining the circumstances surrounding the crash to determine how the two vehicles collided at the intersection.
Traffic detectives closed off the immediate area to collect physical evidence, examine vehicle trajectories, and review local road conditions.
Authorities are appealing to the public for assistance. Anyone who witnessed the collision, or who has relevant dashcam or CCTV footage from the Moolap area around the time of the incident, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
The devastating incident has sparked renewed conversations among local residents and road safety advocates regarding the growing popularity of e-bikes, particularly concerning passenger capacity and safety equipment for young riders navigating major regional thoroughfares.
In response to the tragic crash, community groups and local officials are calling for stricter enforcement of road safety laws and increased educational campaigns targeting young commuters. They emphasize that ensuring proper helmet usage, adhering to passenger limits, and raising driver awareness at high-traffic intersections are crucial steps in preventing similar life-threatening accidents in the future.
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