Pub mates mourning

FATAL FIND: A forensic police officer photographs the crash site on the corner of South Station Road and Robertson Road, Raceview.

PEAK Crossing regulars came together yesterday to mourn a bloke they described as a “lovable larrikin”.

The 44-year-old Peak Crossing man died violently when he lost control of his ute and smashed into a tree on Saturday morning at Raceview.

His ute collided with a give-way sign about 5.50am before hitting a tree in the middle of a roundabout at the intersection of South Station Road and Robertson Road.

The dead man's mates spoke to the QT while drinking to his memory at the Peak Crossing pub.

They remembered a friend who “loved to laugh” and “would do anything for anyone”.

The crash victim, who was the driver and sole occupant of the smashed ute, died at the scene despite desperate attempts by passers-by and neighbours to revive him.

Nearby resident, 16-year-old Benjamin Sampson, was lying in bed when he heard the horrific smash.

“I was just laying in bed trying to decide if I should get out or not when I heard a car coming down the road really quick.

“All I could hear was the motor revving and it didn't sound like it was slowing down,” Benjamin said.

“The next minute I heard a really big bang and I ran outside of the house and saw the car had crashed.”

Benjamin ran to the scene as other residents rushed from their homes and attempted to assist the driver.

“There was steam coming from the bonnet and I was worried,” he said.

“A lady had pulled over and was calling the ambulance and another man ran over and went to see if he was alright. I just started directing traffic.

“I was getting a bit shaky from it and then I heard a few people say they weren't getting a response from him.

“I was hoping the fella would be alright, but it was all over in a couple of seconds.”

The Police Forensic Crash Unit is continuing its investigations into the cause of the crash. Police had not released the name of the victim last night.

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