Five injured, Hume Freeway closed in major multi-vehicle crash in central Victoria

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Five people, including two children, are being rushed to hospital, and police have closed part of the Hume Freeway in both directions after a multi-vehicle crash 150 kilometres north-east of Melbourne about 1.30pm Friday.

A B-double truck, which tows two semi-trailers, was involved in collision with “numerous vehicles” near Violet Town, a police spokesperson said, forcing the major arterial to close in both directions.

“The Hume Highway is currently closed in both north- and south-bound lanes near Violet Town,” police advised.

An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said two adults and two children were being taken by ambulance to Northeast Health Wangaratta. Another adult was being taken to Goulburn Valley Health in Shepparton.

Aerial vision from the scene shows the semi-trailer lying on its side in the scrub to the side of the freeway.

Witness Leslie told ABC Radio Melbourne it appeared the B-double had struck one vehicle before it allegedly crossed the median strip and fell over, possibly hitting other vehicles in the process.

“There was a lot of smoke, but when we went past, there was a lot of ambulances and fireys [firefighters] and SES and people like that helping,” she said.

“It was pretty scary, we couldn’t see how it could possibly have crossed right across the freeway without hitting anyone.”

Transport Victoria’s Chris Miller told the radio station it appeared unlikely the freeway would reopen until the evening.

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Angus Delaney is a reporter at The Age. Email him at angus.delaney@theage.com.au or contact him securely on Signal at angusdelaney.31Connect via email.