James Purcell calls for change to Tower Hill entrance after accident

A 46-year-old female Canadian tourist and an elderly Port Fairy man were lucky to avoid serious injury when their cars collided outside the main entrance on the Princes Highway at 6.45pm.

Sergeant Pat Day from Koroit police said both vehicles were extensively damaged and had to be towed away.

“She was stationary facing west, waiting to turn into the entrance to Tower Hill in heavy traffic when her 2017 Toyota corolla hire car was struck from behind by a silver ford driven by a 79-year-old man from Port Fairy,” Sergeant Day said.

“The elderly man was treated by rural ambulance but sustained no injuries. 

“The female tourist was transported to the Warrnambool hospital with a cut to her head and soreness to her right leg.

“The highway was very busy with traffic travelling both east and west and there was a very strong sun glare as you come over the crest travelling west.

“Considering that section of the highway and that time of the evening, both were very lucky.”

Last week, Mr Purcell labelled the entrance to Tower Hill as “dangerous”.

He said significant risks were associated with motorists entering the reserve.

“The entrance needs to be completely re-designed,” Mr Purcell said.

“When it was built there was a quarter of the traffic on this part of the highway and a 10^th of the traffic turning into Tower Hill.

“At the moment, it is designed for a serious accident to happen.”

Mr Purcell said VicRoads needs to work with the community to find a solution.

He suggested a barrier between traffic travelling east and west and four clearly marked lanes to cater for traffic continuing both ways along the highway or entering Tower Hill. 

He also throw out the possibility of swapping the entrance and exit as a way of improving driver safety.

“It might be worth having a look at,” he said.

“I’m not sure what the answer will be.

“Whatever happens, I don’t underestimate how big a job any change to what we have now would be.”