news, national

On a freeway, an hour before sunrise, a driver came across a disturbing scene: a damaged motorbike, a dead wombat, some money and a shoe. The debris stretched for 100 metres along the Hume Freeway near Longwood in northern Victoria. But where was the rider? It's believed the motorcyclist hit the wombat, but the rider's whereabouts remain unknown. There was no helmet at the crash site and the bike registration details were of no help in finding the person either, Victoria Police spokeswoman Creina O'Grady said. "Police believe the rider would have suffered serious injuries in the crash and are appealing for him, or anyone who may have picked him up, to contact police," she said. A search began on Sunday, with police and SES volunteers examining land near the site to see if the rider managed to walk away from the crash. The damaged bike was a red and white Honda CRB 900, left near where the freeway crosses with Longwood-Ruffy Road, police said. Anyone with information about the crash or the missing rider can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. The damaged motorbike was found where the Hume Freeway crosses Longwood-Ruffy Road, near Longwood in northern Victoria.<\/p>

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