A devastating minibus crash in regional Victoria has claimed four lives, with police confirming all nine people involved were overseas workers living in the Greater Shepparton area.
Tragedy on Chapel Road
The fatal collision occurred around 5pm on Monday on Chapel Rd in Muckatah, approximately 10 kilometres south of Cobram. A white Toyota HiAce van left the road and collided with a tree.
Four passengers died at the scene. They have been identified as a 17-year-old boy, a 34-year-old man, a 51-year-old woman and a 45-year-old woman.
Five other passengers were rushed to hospital with serious injuries. They include three 16-year-old girls, an 18-year-old woman, and a 39-year-old man. Police initially reported a 10-year-old victim but have since corrected this information.
Community in Mourning
The 39-year-old man, who is believed to have been driving the vehicle, remains under police guard in hospital. All occupants were from overseas and were working in the regional northern Victoria area at the time of the accident.
Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason described the event as an "absolutely tragic incident" that would have far-reaching consequences. "What we know is that's four people who won't see the 2025 Christmas," he said. "It will have significant impacts on their loved ones, their friends, their relatives, and many, many lives... will be devastated, destroyed as a result of this collision."
Police Appeal for Witnesses
The cause of the crash remains unknown, and investigators are working to determine why the van veered off the road. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Authorities believe another motorist may have witnessed the Muckatah crash. They are appealing for that person, or anyone with dashcam footage of the incident or the vehicle's movements prior to the collision, to contact police immediately.
This tragedy has deeply affected the Shepparton community and highlights the vulnerabilities of overseas workers in regional Australia. The investigation into the fatal minibus crash is ongoing.
