ABC Victoria | Local News | Story
Driver's actions in deadly hit-and-run 'incomprehensible'
Sunday, 19 February 2006. 14:53 (AEDT)
Sunday, 19 February 2006. 13:53 (ACST)
Sunday, 19 February 2006. 13:53 (AEST)
Sunday, 19 February 2006. 14:53 (ACDT)
Sunday, 19 February 2006. 11:53 (AWST)
Police have condemned the actions of a man who fled the scene of an accident that killed five teenagers and left two more critically injured in Victoria's north-west last night.
The accident happened at Cardross, a small settlement south-west of Mildura.
A group of 13 teenagers had left a party and was standing off the side of the road waiting for a taxi when a car veered to the wrong side and ploughed into the group.
Acting police Inspector Mick Talbot of the Major Collision Squad says the 34-year-old driver fled the scene.
"He left two children in the car, which again is incomprehensible," he said.
"Anybody who leaves the scene of a collision, who leaves people dead and dying really need to have a good look at themselves.
"It's treated very seriously by us, it's treated very seriously by the community - to leave somebody there is just ridiculous."
The man was arrested in a horticultural block near where the accident happened but neither he, nor the 10-year-old girl and four-year-old boy he left in the vehicle, were injured.
Inspector Talbot says the scene was horrific and has commended the actions of the teenagers and families who tried to help the victims.
"People do amazing things when they are under times of stress and in situations when they are confronted by something, they just react and react in a most admirable way," he said.
Inspector Talbot says the small community has been devastated.
"It will rock Red Cliffs to its foundation," he said.
"All these kids are young - they're teenagers aged from 14 to 17, they live around the area, they know each other, they all go to school together, they have families and close ties - it will devastate the area."
Counselling is available this afternoon for students affected by the tragedy at Mildura Senior College.
Related Images
Six teenagers were killed in a horrific road accident near Mildura in north-western Victoria, Australia late at night on February 18. 

Cassandra Manners, aged 16, Stevie-Lee Weight, 15, Cory Dowling, 16, Shane Hirst, 16, and his sister, Abby Hirst, 17, died at the scene. Josephine Calvi, 16, was flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where she later died of head injuries. Seven other teenagers were injured, including 15-year-old Marco Medici who is now in a stable but critical condition in The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.

The accident occurred after the teenagers left a 16th birthday party and walked along Myall Road, Cardross, south-east of Mildura. A car allegedly came speeding around a bend, hit the gravel on the side of the road, lost control and struck the group. The alleged driver, later identified as 34-year-old Thomas Graham Towle, fled the scene on foot, leaving his 10-year-old daughter and four-year-old son in the car. Towle was later arrested by police in Redcliffs. He was taken to Mildura police station for questioning.

Towle has been charged with six charges of culpable driving causing death, four charges of negligently causing serious injury, one charge of failing to stop and one charge of failing to render assistance after an accident. Towle faced Mildura Magistrates' Court on February 20. Magistrate John Dugdale remanded him into custody to reappear before the court on June 26.

Meanwhile, the town of Mildura and surrounding areas is in deep mourning. Premier Steve Bracks said the State Government will provide $AU40,000 for counselling and support services.

Around 3,000 people attended the funeral for Josephine Calvi today. Funeral services for the other five teenagers were held last week.