mmg.com.au

Police say airbags fitted to vehicles involved in an early morning crash last week prevented serious injuries or worse to both drivers and a young boy.

Shepparton Highway Patrol Sergeant Jeffrey Kyne said the crash occurred at Dhurringile and Toolamba-Rushworth Rds south of Tatura, a well-known black-spot intersection.

Sgt Kyne said the two vehicles involved were write-offs to the value of about $70000.

‘‘Both cars were fitted with airbags all over the vehicle which activated. I have no doubt if they weren’t fitted with airbags it would have been a very average day,’’ Sgt Kyne said.

Sgt Kyne said a 41-year-old Toolamba woman and a four-year-old boy were travelling west along Toolamba-Rushworth Rd in a Holden Captiva about 9am.

A 61-year-old Dhurringile woman was travelling north along Dhurringile Rd in a Holden Statesman when the cars collided at the intersection.

Both drivers were taken to Goulburn Valley Base Hospital by ambulance for observation, while the boy escaped injury.

Sgt Kyne said there was a give-way sign at Toolamba-Rushworth Rd, which was completely flattened from the crash.

A Greater Shepparton City Council officer cleared spilled oil from the road and traffic was briefly disruptedntsa for a short time.

Shepparton Highway Patrol and paramedics attended the scene.

‘‘It’s a reminder for all of us travelling on rural roads. Local people may become too familiar and complacent and not pay attention,’’ Sgt Kyne said.

‘‘This is a reflection of our rural roads, we have lots of straight roads with crossroad intersections scattered across our region, only governed by give-way or stop signs.