Detectives are hunting a Porsche driver who fled the scene of a horrific crash that killed four police officers in Melbourne.

The horror crash that occured last night on the Eastern Freeway in Melbourne was the biggest single loss of police lives in one incident in Victorian history, the police commissioner said.

Witnesses to the accident, which occured last night after 5pm on the Eastern Freeway, near Chandler Highway, described the scene as “utter carnage’.

This morning police confirmed the Porsche driver who allegedly fled the scene after four police officers were killed was handing himself in to police this morning.

The driver had initially been pulled over by officers before 5pm last night for speeding at more than 140km/h. Police decided to impound the 911 Porsche and called for back-up from other officers.

After they arrived at the scene and had left their vehicle a large refrigerator truck crashed into the officers. The Porsche was also hit and the driver of the Porsche left the scene on foot, although police did not believe he was injured.

Commissioner Graham Ashton said it was the largest single loss of police lives in one incident in the history of Victoria Police.

“It's a very tragic night for Victoria Police and again highlights dangers that go with the every day nature of police work,” he said.

“Our thoughts are with families of officers who lost their lives tonight.”

Premier Daniel Andrews said on Wednesday night four families’ hearts were breaking.

“Our hearts are breaking with them,” he said.

“We grieve alongside them – just as we grieve with every member of Victoria Police and every member of our emergency services family.

“In the coming days, formal investigations will tell us why – how – this could possibly have happened.

“But one thing is already clear – though we may not yet know their names – we will always call them heroes.”

Police also said the Porsche driver who allegedly fled the scene put photos on Facebook of the crash scene.

“We are pursuing with Facebook that there has been some images placed on Facebook that appear to have been taken by this individual at the scene, before he has left the scene,” Mr Ashton said.

“And some of those photographs were circulating last night online. So, I would ask if anyone is finding photographs online, not to further circulate them. In fact we are talking to Facebook this morning about removing those images from Facebook.”

The victims are two male constables, one female senior constable and one male senior constable. It is believed one of the officers was new to the force, while the others were more “seasoned and experienced”.

The male truck driver was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

One of the cars was left trapped under the truck.

At least 16 emergency services vehicles were at the scene.

It is not yet known the cause of the truck crashing into the officers on the eastern freeway. The driver is in hospital under police guard and police expect him to be there “for some time”.

Blood samples will been taken to test for alcohol or drug use.



Commissioner Ashton said it was believed the truck driver suffered a medical episode at the scene and after the crash.

“We don’t know at this stage what caused him to drive the truck into our police members,” he said.

“We just don’t know. The truck has also made considerable contact with the Porsche.



“This is a real tragedy and so tonight will be spent notifying loved ones of our four officers.

“A very tragic night indeed we're having to respond to.”

.@VictoriaPolice Commissioner Graham Ashton describing a complex, tragic scene - a speeding porsche pulled over by police, reinforcements arrive, vehicle impounded, passing refrigerator truck ploughs into scene, porsche driver has run off. 4 police officers have died. Horrific. — Natasha Mitchell (@natashamitchell) April 22, 2020

A witness told the Herald Sun the accident site was horrific.

“It was carnage,” they said.

“There were civilians trying to run around and help, it was horrible.”

The newspaper said about seven people and an off duty doctor and paramedic were the first on the scene to help.

Tonight we stand united with @VictoriaPolice in our deep shock and sadness. They are not just colleagues, they are our family. — Ambulance Victoria (@AmbulanceVic) April 22, 2020

Four on duty police officers have sadly been killed in a vehicle collision in Kew tonight.



Detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit are currently at the scene and are investigating.



📞 @CrimeStopperVic on 1800 333 000

🔗https://t.co/Jt6UFzC5KM pic.twitter.com/37egjVExOf — Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) April 22, 2020

Police Minister Lisa Neville said the accident was an “unimaginable tragedy”.

“I am thinking of the entire Victoria Police family who are going through a deeply distressing time right now,” she said.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and loved ones of those who have been taken from us far too soon.

“Policing is difficult and challenging work and we are reminded yet again of the bravery of all of our police officers in keeping Victorians safe.

“The Victorian Government grieves with you and we are thinking of you.”

Statement from the Premier:https://t.co/SlbuW5RE6I — Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) April 22, 2020

The Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt said they were “shocked and immensely saddened” by the accident.

“This is a brutally sad reminder of the danger police face in the course of their service, every minute of every shift,” he said in a statement.

“We mourn their loss, we grieve with their families and colleagues and we will never forget them.”