One dead, Hume Hwy still closed following truck smash near Violet Town

The 56-year-old died in hospital on Monday evening.

Police have opened an investigation into the crash, and the Hume Hwy was still closed southbound on Tuesday morning and is expected to have severe delays “for some time”.

Anyone with information, dashcam, or CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

EARLIER: Two people are in a serious condition following a truck collision on the Hume Hwy near Violet Town.

Acting Inspector Damian Keegan said just after 2pm there was a collision between a B-double truck and a rigid truck which were both travelling south.

The incident happened 3km north of Harrys Creek Rd on the southbound side of the Hume.

“For reasons unknown the B-double has collided with the rear of the rigid truck,” he said.

The driver of the rigid truck was taken to Benalla by road ambulance and then flown to a Melbourne hospital, while emergency crews including SES, worked for three hours to free the driver of the B-double, who was flown straight to a Melbourne hospital in a serious condition.

The Hume Hwy was expected to be closed for some time on Monday night.

Signed detours have been set up and will direct drivers off the highway through Violet Town, then via Murchison-Violet Town Road through Miepol and Moorilim to reach the Goulburn Valley Hwy.

Motorists can follow the highway south to return to the Hume Freeway, just north of Seymour.

CFA Media said seven CFA vehicles were on the scene, supported by Fire and Rescue Victoria, Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police.

Ambulance Victoria confirmed two people were being treated on the scene and air ambulance had been dispatched.

The incident happened near the Harrys Creek Rd overpass, which is the turn-off onto Violet Town from the Hume Hwy.