Two Dead in Ferntree Gully Crash: A Troubling Start to 2026
In a tragic turn of events, two lives were lost in a crash that occurred on Oaklands Avenue in Ferntree Gully, Melbourne's outer east, on Saturday night, January 24, 2026. The incident has left a man under police guard in hospital, with his car having hit a pole, resulting in the deaths of two passengers.
The crash, which happened just before 6 pm, was swift and devastating. The two passengers, whose identities have not yet been confirmed, succumbed to their injuries at the scene. The investigation is ongoing, with police urging witnesses and those with footage to come forward and assist in their inquiries.
This tragic event marks the 16th road fatality in Victoria since the beginning of 2026, following a chaotic day on Melbourne's roads. The day's events began with an alleged stolen Mazda colliding with a Mercedes on the Monash Freeway at Endeavour Hills around 10 am, leaving the female driver with non-life-threatening injuries.
The aftermath of this crash saw up to eight teenage boys flee the stolen car, with one, a 15-year-old, being arrested by police after a citizens' arrest. The remaining seven teens are still at large, having escaped into nearby bushland. As police responded to this incident, they encountered a Nissan in the emergency lane of the Monash Freeway, which sped off when attempted to be intercepted, eventually colliding with six cars before the driver and passenger fled on foot.
These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges of road safety in Victoria, with a particular focus on the need for vigilance and cooperation from the community in preventing and addressing such incidents.
