Thursday, 4pm
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The man injured in a crash in Bendigo on Wednesday remains in a critical condition in the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
11pm
A former nurse who provided CPR to the man injured in a crash in Bendigo has urged people to learn first aid.
Brendan Key spent the first anniversary of his departure from nursing working to save a stranger's life.
The 37-year-old delivered eight rounds of CPR - 30 chest compressions, followed by two breaths - before leaving the man in the capable hands of paramedics.
Mr Key had been driving between errands when the crash occurred.
His car had been in the lane beside the vehicle the man was driving, travelling from the police station towards the Bendigo CBD.
Mr Key said the man's vehicle was travelling normally, initially.
Then the vehicle slowly drifted towards his lane, so Mr Key slowed down a little bit.
Mr Key saw the man's vehicle suddenly veer to the right. He said the vehicle somehow went in between the oncoming traffic and crashed into a tree.
"I immediately pulled over and sprinted across the road," he said.
More news: Bridge Street building damaged by fire
Mr Key checked the man's vital signs and started delivering first aid, putting the man into recovery position while he was still in the vehicle.
The man's condition deteriorated, prompting Mr Key to remove him from the vehicle with the assistance of another person at the scene.
A woman helped keep track of the compressions Mr Key was delivering during CPR.
Another person was on the phone to emergency services.
"It was a great team effort," Mr Key said.
He left the scene knowing he had done all he could, and hopeful he had given the man his best chance of survival.
"I'm glad I had the skills to help him out," Mr Key said.
He encouraged people to learn first aid if they hadn't already had training, and to keep up to date with it if they had.
"It can mean the difference between life and death," Mr Key said.
2.45pm
POLICE are investigating whether a medical episode led to the crash on High Street in Bendigo.
Senior Sergeant Ian Brooks said the Holden Commodore had been travelling into the Bendigo CBD when the car veered into the southbound lanes and crashed into a tree.
"Witnesses have told us the car wasn't doing anything wrong, it just veered off the road," Senior Sergeant Brooks said.
"So part of our investigation will be looking at medical issues in relation to the driver."
Read other news:
Senior Sergeant Brooks said it was "very fortunate" that no other cars were involved in the crash.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said a man had been taken to Bendigo Health in a critical condition. He was being treated for upper body injuries.
Senior Sergeant Brooks said the 37-year-old man was the only person in the car.
"There were some concerns for his condition at the start but the paramedics have done a fantastic job of resuscitating and stabilising him so he can be transported to hospital," he said.
Senior Sergeant Brooks said anyone who witnessed the crash or had dashcam footage should contact the Bendigo Police Station on 5448 1300.
People could also contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au/
Earlier
PARAMEDICS are treating a man in a critical condition following a car crash on High Street in Bendigo.
Emergency services were called to the crash near the intersection with Honeysuckle Street just before 2pm on Wednesday.
Traffic is down to one lane heading into the Bendigo central business district, while both southbound lanes are closed.
Drivers are being told to detour via Myrtle Street and use Marong Road or Gladstone Street instead.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson confirmed paramedics were treating a man in a critical condition.
Police, the Country Fire Authority, and Fire Rescue Victoria are also on scene.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark bendigoadvertiser.com.au/
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/BgoAddy
- Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/bendigoadvertiser/
- Follow us on Google News