SINGAPORE: A Singaporean family of six,
believed to be on holiday in Australia, met with a car accident
near Melbourne on Monday.
The accident occurred near the town of Seymour in the morning
just after 7 am local time. The family was heading south towards
Melbourne in their Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV).
According to Australian news reports, the father was driving a
van along the Hume Freeway before crashing it into a tree.
His nine-year-old son was killed instantly while two other
children aged 12 and 15 suffered major head injuries. They were
air-lifted to the Royal Children Hospital, where they remain in a
critical condition.
The 47-year-old father was sent to the Royal Melbourne Hospital
and is in a serious condition.
The 44-year-old mother and a 13-year-old child were sent to the
Northern Hospital and are in a stable condition.
Australian police said it could have been fatigue-related, and
that the family may not have worn their seatbelts.
“In this early stage (of investigation), it appears it (the
crash) was fatigue-related, as in the driver may have fallen
asleep. We don’t know for sure, but it appears they may not have
been wearing seat-belts because several of the passengers were
ejected from the vehicle when it rolled over,” acting-sergeant Paul
Gordon from the Seymour Police said.
The police added that the Hume Freeway is not a high-collision
area, and that they were still investigating the accident.
Singapore’s Foreign Ministry said it is in contact with one of
the injured victims and their next-of-kin in Singapore.
An officer from the High Commission in Canberra is now in
Melbourne to provide assistance to the family.
This is the second accident this week involving Singaporeans
overseas.
- CNA/wm