The two French women were airlifted to Melbourne with serious injuries. Pictures: PETER PICKERING
ARARAT - Two French tourists were air lifted to Melbourne with serious injuries after their car struck a tree on the Western Highway at Buangor on Monday.
The two women, aged 22, were travelling from Melbourne to South Australia when they ran off the road and struck a large tree, near the intersection of Buangor-Ben Nevis Road, at about 4pm.
The passenger was able to free herself, but the driver had to be cut from the vehicle by the State Emergency Service.
Both women were airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, with the driver suffering pelvis and ankle injuries and the passenger internal injuries.
No other vehicle was involved and the cause of the accident is being investigated, with fatigue not being ruled out.
Multiple agencies were involved in the rescue, including police, ambulance, SES, CFA and air wing, with one lane of the Western Highway closed for around two hours.
"This is a timely reminder in the lead up to Easter for drivers to take care on the roads, take frequent breaks and obey the road rules," Sergeant Brad Fisher said.