Update, Friday 3.08pm:
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A Forest Fire Management Victoria tanker was beyond repair after being run off the road while responding to a fire at Tylden earlier in the week.
FFMV Murray Goldfields district manager Paul Bates said the driver and passenger of the tanker, both of whom were firefighters, were doing well.
He said the passenger was taken to hospital in Melbourne following the crash, which happened about 5.15pm on Monday at Tylden-Woodend Road, and had since been discharged.
“Both firefighters sustained minor injuries and suffered from shock,” Mr Bates said.
He said the driver of the fire tanker steered the car off the road to avoid a head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle.
Police said the driver of the oncoming vehicle claimed to have been micro-napping when their vehicle veered into the fire truck’s lane.
“To our knowledge, the driver of the oncoming vehicle did not sustain any physical injuries,” Mr Bates said.
Update 9.57pm: POLICE have again urged people to manage their fatigue levels – this time, after a fire truck was run off the road while responding to a grass fire at Tylden earlier today.
Kyneton First Constable Steve Davies said the crash happened on Tylden-Woodend Road, a couple of kilometres away from the fire ground, about 5.20pm.
He said the fire truck swerved to avoid a vehicle that veered onto the wrong side of the road.
The truck subsequently came off the road and hit a tree.
A CFA spokesperson said paramedics attended to two people at the scene who were suffering from shock and minor injuries such as bruising.
The fire truck was not a CFA appliance; it was believed to have been a Forest Fire Management Victoria vehicle.
First Constable Davies estimated repairs to the fire truck, which sustained ‘significant enough’ damage, would cost thousands of dollars.
The car’s driver told police he had been micro-napping when the car veered onto the wrong side of the road.
Police said the driver would be charged on summons with careless driving.
First Constable Davies said the road conditions were also a factor in the crash.
“The roads were breaking up a bit because of the heat,” he said.
He said the truck didn’t get much traction when breaking, as a result.
Police were managing traffic at the crash site for about 30 minutes.
First Constable Davies called on motorists to make sure they had sufficient sleep before driving and to pull over and take a nap if they were tired.
Bendigo Highway Patrol Sergeant Mick McCrann made similar comments about fatigue after a car ran off the road and into a paddock at a therapeutic farm in Myers Flat at the weekend.
Comment is being sought from Forest Fire Management Victoria.
Update 5.02pm: THE grass fire at Tylden is now safe.
People located within the warning area are now able to resume normal activities.
Update 4.26pm: THE fire at Tylden has been brought under control.
The CFA has advised its members, and Forest Fire Management firefighters, will remain at the scene for some time.
EARLIER: FIREFIGHTERS are responding to a grass fire at Tylden.
The fire, at 1235 Kyneton-Trentham Rd, is not yet under control.
The CFA has advised people to stay informed and monitor conditions.
“There is currently no threat to you,” it said in a statement.
CFA and Forest Fire Management Victoria crews are on scene.
Smoke might be visible from nearby roads and communities.
What you should do:
- Keep the roads clear so emergency services can respond.
- If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes. For more information, visit http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/before-and-during-a-fire.
If you can smell smoke, please note:
- Smoke can affect people's health.
- People with heart or lung conditions (including asthma), children, pregnant women and older people are more sensitive to the effects of breathing in smoke.
- People with existing heart or lung conditions (including asthma) should follow the treatment plan advised by the doctor.
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