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Toddler dead as dashcam emerges of horror freeway pile-up

Rhiannon TuffieldNCA NewsWire
Dozens of emergency crews rushed to the scene
Camera IconDozens of emergency crews rushed to the scene Credit: NCA NewsWire

Horrifying dashcam footage has emerged of the moment a semi-trailer smashed into multiple cars on a major Melbourne freeway, killing a toddler and leaving a young family fighting for life.

The devastating collision happened on the Calder Freeway just after 2.30pm on Monday when a truck carrying grain rolled onto multiple cars near the Bulla Rd overpass.

Police said a rear seat passenger in one car, understood to be a two-year-old toddler, died at the scene.

A toddler has been killed, a baby is fighting for life
Camera IconA toddler was killed and a baby is fighting for life after the horror crash. Credit: Supplied

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Two people from the same vehicle, believed to be the toddler’s mother and younger sibling, were rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

Other people were hurt in the collision while others escaped serious injury.

The tragic pile-up caused traffic chaos, with northbound traffic backed up for 4km, causing huge delays on nearby roads after all city-bound lanes on the freeway closed at Bulla-Diggers Rd.

Paramedics on the road
Camera IconMultiple vehicles were caught up in the crash Credit: NCA NewsWire
Emergency crews on the freeway
Camera IconDozens of emergency crews rushed to the scene Credit: NCA NewsWire
Truck torn apart on road
Camera IconThe truck was torn apart, spilling grain over the road Credit: NCA NewsWire

The driver of the semi trailer is currently in custody.

Truck on road
Camera IconThe crash closed all inbound lanes on the freeway Credit: NCA NewsWire

Images of the wreckage showed multiple cars strewn across the road and the truck completely turned on its side, with the front of the vehicle severed from its carriage.

A metal road barrier was completely torn apart.

At least five people were injured in total, with child flown by air ambulance to Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Dozens of paramedics, police and fire crew responded to the emergency.

Paramedics take away patients
Camera IconFive people were injured in the crash. Credit: NCA NewsWire

Authorities have urged people to slow down and drive with care.

Originally published as Toddler dead as dashcam emerges of horror freeway pile-up

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