Two killed on Ballarat Road

Two men aged in their 50s died within days of each other after separate incidents on Ballarat Road last week.

A Brimbank council employee is receiving counselling after a street sweeper incident in Deer Park early last Tuesday. A Laverton man, 52, died after being struck by the sweeper about 5am. He has yet to be identified.

“It’s a very tragic event,” Brimbank chairman John Watson said at last week’s council meeting. “Our sympathies are with the families of those involved. It’s my understanding the driver is a very experienced and long-serving driver.”

Paramedics worked on the man, but he died at the scene. A council spokeswoman said the driver was not at fault.

“The police have assured our driver that the incident was not his fault and commended his actions, which included attending to the man immediately after the incident occurred,” she said.

Another pedestrian, 53, died after being struck by a car in Ballarat Road, Ardeer, on Wednesday evening.

Police said the man was crossing the road when he was struck by a car just before 7.30pm. He died at the scene. The driver of the car, who was not injured, stopped immediately. Westbound traffic was diverted for several hours.

Police are investigating and will prepare a report for the coroner.

Witnesses are being urged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Ben Cameron