Bendigos first responders are pleading with road users to take care this Christmas after a cyclist was critically injured at Mandurang on Friday.
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Emergency services were called to Sedgwick Road just after 10.30am after the man was hit by a car while riding.
He was flown to The Royal Melbourne Hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he remains in a critical condition.
WATCH: Emergency services plead for road users to get home safe
More than 240 people have been killed on Victorian roads this year and Bendigos emergency services are hoping that number does not rise.
Police will saturate the roads this holiday period in an effort to catch those doing the wrong thing and reduce the trauma on our roads.
Country Fire Authority district two operations manager Bill Johnstone said road trauma had an affect on everyone involved, from the victims family to the emergency services who attended.
Like anyone, we cant unsee what we see, so the lingering effects can be compounding for people over many years, he said.
Please exercise care. Long-distance driving, fatigue, all those factors creep into it. Dont take any undue risks on the road.
Ambulance Victoria senior MICA team manager Andrew Blair said road trauma impacted heavily on the paramedics who responded to crashes.
We dont want you in the back of an ambulance, so just take care, he said.
Stay safe on the roads and spend time with your family.
Bendigo SES unit training officer Sam Palma said crews didnt want to see anyone hurt this Christmas.
Just dont drink and drive, dont get behind the wheel if youve been under the influence of drugs and if your friends are not wearing their seatbelts, tell them to put them on, he said.
Bendigo Health emergency consultant Dr Wolfgang Merl urged road users to travel safely, drink responsibly and drive slowly.
Road trauma always is a devastating event for everyone involved, he said.
We are here to help you but we prefer you not to spend your time with us in the emergency department.
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