By DANNY BUTTLER AND DANIELLE GALVIN
FRANTIC resuscitation attempts by nearby residents couldn’t save a man who crashed into a Nar Nar Goon property after a suspected heart attack on Monday morning.
The 60-year-old Warragul man was towing a loaded horse float north along Main Street when he lost control of his utility and crashed into a front yard fence.
Neighbour Wendy Forbes was one of the first on the scene after the accident occurred around 8am.
“I just heard a crash, but I thought it was workers,” she said.
Wendy and other local residents attempted to help the man, using advice from the ambulance telephone operator as they tried to keep him alive until paramedics arrived.
But their efforts were to no avail.
“None of us knew CPR, so the ambulance person tried to help us, telling us to clear the airways and things like that,” Wendy said.
“We couldn’t get him out of the car, so there wasn’t much we could do for him.”
Wendy said the experience was distressing for all involved.
“I’m still a bit shaky, it’s hard when you just can’t do anything,” she said.
Residents Ray Coombs slept through the whole incident, despite the fact the car crashed into the fence that borders his property.
Mr Coombs said it was fortunate the car didn’t keep going straight through the front wall of his house.
“If he had of had his foot on the accelerator, it could have been different,” he said.
“It’s also a wonder the horse float didn’t tip over.”
The horse was unharmed and cared for in a nearby paddock.
Cardinia Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Allen Inderwisch said police believed the driver lost control of the vehicle just 200 metres from his Nar Nar Goon workplace.
“It appears he suffered a heart attack while driving,” Sen-Sgt Inderwisch said.
“This has resulted in him drifting off the road and into a front fence.
“We were fortunate no-one else was injured, especially with school back today and kids out on the street,” he said.
Police and ambulance attended, but the driver, who had a pre-existing medical condition, was pronounced dead at the scene.
“In spite of the best efforts of paramedics, he was unable to be revived,” he said.
A report is being prepared for the Coroner.
Sgt Inderwisch said anyone who witnessed the crash should contact Cardinia Highway Patrol on 5945 2500.
