Probe into freeway fatality
Police are appealing for witnesses after a Richmond man was struck and killed on the Westgate Freeway near Millers Road, Altona, on Monday morning. Investigators have been told the man, 67, was seen standing next to a dark green MX5 coupe at the time of the collision about 7am. He died at the scene. A truck driver is helping police with their inquiries. Anyone with information should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Opposition to car park plan
More than 670 protesters have signed an online petition calling for Maribyrnong council to halt the proposed introduction of paid parking in Yarraville and Seddon. ‘The Yarraville Village says no to paid parking’ Facebook page has also attracted 800 ‘likes’ in less than a fortnight. A feedback session was held at Yarraville’s Sun Theatre last night, with another session due at Footscray Town Hall from 4.30-7.30 tonight.
Circumstances of death uncertain
The state coroner has handed down an open finding into the death of a young Ethiopian-Australian man whose body was found in the Maribyrnong River in 2011. Michael Atakelt, 22, was last seen alive on CCTV footage at Newmarket train station about 7pm on June 26, 2011. A fisherman found his body in the Maribyrnong River on July 7 that year.
Mr Atakelt’s father, Getachew Seyoum, has maintained his son was murdered. But state coroner Ian Gray said there wasn’t sufficient evidence to suggest
that was the case.
Teen faces traffic charges
A Lalor teenager has been arrested after a high-speed police pursuit from Altona North to Lara. Police allege the 17-year-old boy, a Werribee girl, 13, a Truganina girl, 15, a Craigieburn girl, 15, and a Reservoir boy, 13, were spotted in a stolen red Nissan Pulsar on Blackshaws Road, Altona North, about 9.25pm on August 28. Officers chased the car through the western suburbs to Lara.
The pursuit came to an end when the car’s occupants attempted to flee on foot. They were eventually arrested with the help of a police helicopter. The Lalor
teen was charged with a string of driving and theft offences and remanded to face a children’s court at a later date. The car’s passengers were released pending further inquiries.
Take a good look around
People can set sail on the tall ship Enterprize and visit the railway museum in Williamstown North as part of
local Tourism Week events. Activities will also include visits to Scienceworks at Spotswood (free for children and
concession cardholders), The Substation Artists Market and Contemporary Art Prize Exhibition at Newport, and guided walking tours. There are also special deals for people who mention Tourism Week for Lantern Ghost Tours in Williamstown, seaplane flights, and access to HMAS Castlemaine and Seaworks Maritime Museum. For more details or to book for a free guided tour, phone the Hobsons Bay Visitor Information Centre on 9932 4310 or visit www.visithobsonsbay.com.au.
