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UPDATE, 9.30pm: The Western Freeway at Ballarat-Burrumbeet Road has been re-opened after detours were in place from about 1.30pm. In a statement, VicRoads and Regional Roads Victoria thanked drivers for their patience. EARLIER: Police say a fatality and manhunt that occurred around the same time in Ballarat are not linked. The two incidents both occurred between 1.30pm and 3pm this afternoon. However, police have stressed the two incidents are not related in any way. Ballarat's top cop has tried to allay any safety concerns of the wider community, despite the man still being at large. Watch video of him fleeing here. Superintendent Jenny Wilson told The Courier there were "plenty of police" involved in the continuing operation to apprehend the wanted man, and it was business as usual. "There's a police operation still under way in relation to a male wanted in relation to vehicle crimes which have occurred over the last month or so, but there's no risk to the community," she said. She said she was not at liberty to discuss whether the man was previously known to police or the specific crimes he has been connected with, as the investigation was still active. A police helicopter had been circling the Ballarat area for several hours. Police were spotted searching for a man on the roof of the Allied Pinnacle mill building in Trench Street, behind the Creswick Road Bunnings, around 3pm, while other police patrolled the area. Shortly afterwards, a shirtless man was seen running from the building, tailed by police officers. He scaled the wire fence, jumped over and sprinted towards the railway line before disappearing. A heavy police presence then descended on the Soldiers Hill area with both uniformed and plain clothes police patrolling the ground and the police helicopter circling overhead. With curious passersby watching on, a police dog was brought in to track the man's scent. It appeared to lead police to a drain, where it is believed the man was seen popping out of a drain near the Macarthur Street primary school. Police were then seen entering a drain outside the school. Meanwhile, another man is dead after crashing on the Western Freeway. Victoria Police have confirmed a man has been killed after his car rolled off the freeway just after 1.30pm. He was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. The exact circumstances of the collision are yet to be established and the investigation is ongoing. The Major Collisions Investigations is on the way to the scene from Melbourne. The Western Freeway has been blocked at Brown Hill as part of the investigation. All Ballarat-bound traffic is being turned off at the Ballarat-Burrumbeet Road exit. Any witnesses or anyone with dash cam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au 2019 so far: 175 2018 at the same time: 116 Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.

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