A Brighton family was taken to Bendigo Hospital after their Volvo was hit by a Toyota Hilux ute at the intersection of Axedale-Toolleen Road and the Northern Highway just after 4pm.

Heathcote Senior Constable Karl Kerschbaumer said the driver of the Toyota Hilux ute, which was travelling west on Toolleen-Axedale Road, failed to see a stop sign.

The Volvo four-wheel-drive had been travelling north on the Northern Highway when the crash occurred.

Senior Constable Kerschbaumer said both of the vehicles involved were write-offs.

He said the offending driver – a 63-year-old man from Dederang, in the Alpine Shire – was uninjured.

The occupants of the other vehicle – a man, a woman and their two children – were all taken to Bendigo Health.

Paramedics said one of the boys was preschool aged, and the other was primary school aged. 

Their parents were believed to be in their 30s.

Senior Constable Kerschbaumer said none of the Volvo’s occupants were seriously injured.

The Hilux driver was issued an on-the-spot fine for failing to stop at a stop sign.

The crash happened within view of patrons and staff at the Toolleen Hotel.

Staffer Ebony Hooper said people at the hotel were keen to be of any assistance.

She said it was ‘miraculous’ nobody involved in the crash had been seriously injured.

Senior Constable Kerschbaumer said police had attended numerous crashes at the intersection over the years.

He said Axedale-Toolleen Road was closed for some time as emergency services responded.

Paramedics, police, SES and CFA units attended.

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