Man injured in Harkaway crash

By Kelly Yates
CASEY traffic police are investigating a car crash in Berwick last week which left a 21-year-old with serious chest and internal injuries.
Morning traffic along Harkaway Road was thrown into chaos when the Lilydale man lost control of his Holden sedan and spun into the path of a four-wheel drive last Friday.
The man was trapped in his car before CFA crews and a rescue unit from Dandenong used the Jaws of Life to cut him free.
The crash occurred on the bend near Bournevale Drive around 6.45am.
Advanced life support paramedics from Pakenham, intensive care paramedics from Hampton Park and an ambulance helicopter were called to the scene just before 7am.
Intensive care flight paramedic Steve Grove said paramedics were able to check his breathing and pulse, and examine his chest but couldn’t do much else while he was trapped.
“Once the man was freed it was clear he had collapsed lungs and significant chest and internal injures. We performed a procedure where a large needle was inserted into each side of his chest to relieve trapped air that was causing pressure, and restricting his breathing,” Mr Grove said.
“He was then given some drugs to sedate and paralyse him, effectively putting him into an induced coma.
“It makes it easier to manage his breathing, and reduces the chances of severe brain injury given the significant impact in the collision.”
The man was flown to The Alfred hospital in a critical condition.
The driver of the four-wheel drive, a 39-year-old Berwick man, received minor injuries.
Police blocked off the busy road for a couple of hours as they investigated the scene.
The cause of the crash is still unknown.
Anyone with information is urged to call Leading Seniuor Constable Allen Inderwisch at Casey Highway Patrol on 5991 0600 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.