BENDIGO police are pleading with drivers to stay safe on the roads after two deaths in central Victoria in as many days.
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With Christmas less than two weeks away police are urging drivers to take care on the road.
The warning comes after a 56-year-old man was killed in Newstead on Wednesday.
The Newstead man lost control and veered off the road.
The driver was the sole occupant of the car he was travelling west in on the Pyrenees Highway just after 5.30pm.
The vehicle hit a tree 150 metres west of Monash Street, trapping the man.
Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said the driver was airlifted from the Newstead football oval to the Alfred Hospital in a critical condition, where he later died.
Acting Sergeant Peter Dyer said police believed a medical issue was the cause of the collision.
He said police had ruled out speeding, alcohol, drugs and poor driving after questioning witnesses.
A Wilsons Hill crash also claimed the life of an Arnold man in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The 61-year-old, driving a white Ford utility, hit a tree on the Wimmera Highway about 2.30am.
The fatality was not discovered until almost two hours later when a truck driver drove past the scene and called triple zero.
Police believe fatigue caused the crash.
Acting Sergeant Dyer said police would continue to spread the message to the community to drive safely.
“It is sad to see country people dying on country roads,” he said.
“Especially when these two people died in close proximity to their homes."
Acting Sergeant Dyer warned drivers more police would be out on Bendigo roads over the next two weeks.
"There will also be more breath tests completed in places where people least expect to be breath-tested."
Acting Sergeant Dyer said police wanted people to enjoy the festive season but said planning was the key.
“Don’t mix drinking with driving," he said.
“If you are going to have a drink then plan to get a lift home or get a taxi."