Four people have been killed and five others — including three children — seriously injured after a minivan crashed into a tree in rural Victoria near the New South Wales border, prompting a major emergency response and a police investigation into the cause of the tragedy.
The crash occurred around 5pm on Chapel Road in Muckatah, a sparsely populated farming locality about 10 kilometres south of Cobram, police said. The minivan, which was carrying nine occupants, is believed to have left the roadway and struck a tree. Four passengers died at the scene and have not yet been formally identified.
The driver and another adult passenger were taken to hospital by ambulance with serious injuries. Three children who were among the injured were airlifted to hospital, underscoring the severity of the crash and the urgency of the response.
Ambulance Victoria confirmed that at least three air ambulances and advanced life support paramedics were deployed, reflecting what officials described as a “complex, high-impact” incident. Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are travelling to the scene to determine the exact circumstances.
“At this stage, it appears the driver lost control of the vehicle,” Victoria Police said in a statement, adding that the investigation remains ongoing.
The incident has shocked the close-knit Cobram and Muckatah communities, where serious road trauma is rare but deeply felt. Local residents described Chapel Road as a typical rural stretch — narrow, lined with trees, and unforgiving when mistakes occur.
“Country roads don’t give you second chances,” said one local resident, who asked not to be named. “When something goes wrong out here, the consequences are often devastating.”
Road safety advocates say the crash highlights the persistent risks on regional roads, where higher speed limits, roadside hazards such as trees, and longer emergency response times can combine with tragic results. According to Victorian road safety data, a disproportionate number of fatal crashes occur in regional and rural areas each year.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have dashcam footage from the area around Chapel Road at the time to come forward. Investigators will examine factors including speed, road conditions, vehicle safety, and whether seatbelts were being worn.
As the investigation continues, authorities say their focus remains on supporting the victims’ families and preventing further loss of life.
“This is a heartbreaking incident,” police said. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers.