Five people have died after a car slammed into a beer garden outside Daylesford's Royal Hotel on Sunday, November 5.
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Victoria Police said the deaths occurred after a white BMW SUV mounted the kerb and struck patrons who included two men, one woman, a boy thought to be six years old and a teenage girl.
Six people remained in hospital on Sunday night, including the 66-year-old driver of the car, and a three-year-old boy, who is in a serious condition in Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital.
Emergency authorities said a number of other people were also injured.
The driver remains in hospital where he has been treated for shock and minor injuries.
Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said police expect to interview the 66-year-old Mount Macedon man later on November 6.
"The Major Collision Unit has attended and done everything you would expect them to do - a reconstruction of the scene to establish the movement of the vehicle, speeds and those types of things," he said.
"It is still very early days in this investigation."
Police found no alcohol in the man's system during a breath-test following the crash. They were yet to rule out any other potential factors in the crash.
Many left injured
More details are emerging about the people struck by the car but police were holding back key details.
Police were yet to track down all family members who needed to be notified and difficulties identifying everyone given the "horrendous scenes" at the crash site, Chief Commissioner Patton said.
"What I can say in essence is that there were two different family groups that were known to each other, who were significantly involved and impacted by this," he said.
An 11-month-month old boy was taken to Ballarat Base Hospital in a stable condition.
Another person was taken by road to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Ambulance Victoria has confirmed.
Air ambulances flew four people to hospital in separate ambulances including two to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, one to the Alfred and one to the Royal Children's Hospital.
Police have confirmed a boy aged about six - who had been airlifted in a critical condition - is now stable. He had broken legs and internal injuries.
A 45-year-old woman was in the ICU in a serious condition. She was among those airlifted. So was a 43-year-old woman now believed to now be in a stable condition, as well as a 38 year old man.
Police have rejected accounts of a delayed response to the crash, saying two members of the Daylesford police station arrived on foot almost immediately.
Ambulance Victoria regional director Trevor Weston said initial crews arriving at the hotel found "chaotic" and "confronting" scenes.
Mr Weston said his thoughts are with Daylesford paramedics who first responded to the emergency.
"You never want to respond to any incident like this but certainly not in your hometown," he said.
"Any incident involving children is that next level of distress for our paramedics."
Witnesses describe the scene
Witnesses to scene described it as "horrific", with a number of locals rushing to the scene to render medical treatment before emergency services arrived.
Bystanders reported hearing the vehicle making strange noises and jolting right before it crashed into the beer garden, which is a popular venue for locals and tourists, especially on a long weekend.
Bodies were quickly covered in white sheets and debris was scattered all over the road. A single shoe could be seen lying nearby, while a light pole was also knocked over.
Witness Rhonda White, 67, told media that immediately after the crash, people came from everywhere to help the injured.
"All I remember is people just doing CPR ... there were so many people that ran to the rescue," she said.
"It was about 15 minutes before the police arrived and half an hour before the ambulance ... so in that time, it was just bedlam."
"[It was] horrible, horrible and I can't believe what I saw. We were pitching in and helping people; I don't know where they came from."
A Melbourne couple who arrived in the area a couple of minutes after the accident, spoke to ACM reporter Gabrielle Hodson.
The pair had driven past the hotel earlier in the day and described the area as having been packed with people.
"We arrived probably five minutes after the accident and white sheets were up, so we knew it was very serious," the couple said.
"We're visiting and are just in total shock. We can't believe the whole town has to go through this and what we've seen, it's absolutely horrific.
"We just feel so distraught for the family and friends, it's an absolute tragedy."
Hepburn Shire Mayor Brian Hood has thanked community members who stepped in to help.
Initial response
Addressing the media at 11pm on Sunday evening, Victoria Police Superintendent John Fitzpatrick from Road Policing Command said police were yet to identify the victims.
"We don't know whether they're locals or tourists. It's obviously a popular tourist destination," he said.
"[The vehicle] has driven through an area where there were were patrons eating dinner and enjoying themselves. As a result, we have people deceased at the scene,'' he said.
"We'll canvas a whole range of places around that scene to try and get some CCTV footage."
''One of those victims behind me is a child and there are other patients in hospitals in Melbourne.
Infrastructure Minister Catherine King, whose federal Ballarat electorate includes Daylesford, asked the community to follow advice from emergency services as crews carry out their work.
"My thoughts are with all those at the scene, their friends and families and the broader Daylesford community," she said in a statement on X.
Anyone who witness the incident, has a dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au.
There have been 241 lives lost on Victorian roads this year, compared to 208 at the same time last year.
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