A truck driver has told police he had no idea he had been in a collision with a motorcyclist on the West Gate Bridge on Tuesday until hearing about the crash on the 6pm news.
The truck and a motorcyclist collided in the outbound lanes of the West Gate Bridge about 12.40pm, causing major traffic chaos that lasted through the evening peak-hour.
The 41-year-old motorcycle rider from Altona North was taken to The Alfred hospital with serious leg and pelvic injuries.
But there was no sign of the truck driver involved, until a 45-year-old man from Newport saw a report on the crash on TV news.
Upon hearing the description of the truck involved – a white prime mover with a red open trailer – the driver contacted police.
He spoke with detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit on Tuesday night and continues to assist them with their inquiries, Victoria Police spokesman Sergeant Kris Hamilton said.
ANDREW FORD AND MANDY MCIVOR TAKE A SELFIE DURING THE TRAFFIC JAM. PICTURE: PAUL ROVERE
Initial investigations suggest the motorcyclist lost control of his bike and collided with the back wheels of the large prime mover, unbeknownst to the truck driver.
The crash was the first of two to occur on the West Gate on Tuesday afternoon.
It brought traffic to a standstill on the West Gate Bridge, leaving motorists stranded for hours, some of whom got out of their cars to take photos and selfies.
Just as emergency crews were leaving the scene of that crash, another motorcyclist was injured in a crash on the West Gate Freeway at Port Melbourne.
The second crash closed three inbound lanes and led to traffic delays across the city.
The two crashes follow a huge spike in motorcyclist deaths on the state’s roads.
So far this year, 19 motorcyclists have been killed in Victoria.
Police investigations into Tuesday’s crashes are ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
By Marissa Calligeros, The Age
