By DANIELLE GALVIN
PAKENHAM’S Road Rescue Unit members are urging drivers to slow down and take care on the roads after seven serious crashes in Cardinia Shire in less than three months.
Police, CFA and SES crews are urging motorists to buckle up, slow down and heed the road safety message in the lead-up to Easter after a horror start to the year.
On 28 February, four members of a Poowong family including Jade and Stephen Beckett and their two youngest children William, 2, and Ella, 6, died in a fiery crash in Catani when their car collided with a truck.
Nine-year-old Sam survived the total incineration of the car.
In March, Kooweerup taxi driver Bob Wheatley died in a crash on Manks Road and a truck driver perished when he lost control on Boundary Road in Upper Beaconsfield in February.
Cardinia PSA Inspector Robert Wallace urged motorists to take care on the roads.
“The message is for people to be patient – there lots of cars on the road at the moment,” he said.
“Just be patient, take your time, there is no hurry and you are better arriving safely than not at all.
“When we have one accident that creates a lot of concern – especially when we have several across the shire with multiple fatalities.
“It is even more of a focus for us than it already was – people really need to heed the message to slow down, do not drink and drive and be patient with other motorists.”
The road rescue team is made up of Pakenham SES and Nar Nar Goon CFA members.
Nar Nar Goon CFA chief Geoff Bramley said there had been seven fatalities and it was a “horrendous” time for the community.
“It has taken its toll on some of our members,” he said.
“We have had 21 calls this year for rescues in the first three months – not just motor vehicle accidents but others as well.
“It has been a busy year for our brigade.”
Captain Bramley said it had been a difficult start to the year as CFA crews and volunteers fought fires across the state including the Hazelwood mine.
“Quite often emergency workers cop the brunt of it,” he said.
“We are no different to anyone else.”
Pakenham SES member Martin Ruse encouraged motorists to be careful on the roads.
“Buckle up – don’t speed,” he said.
“We have probably been very unlucky but people need to take care.”
