Monday 14 September 2026Victoria edition
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Motorcyclist Dies After Hitting Pothole on Western Highway

A 71-year-old motorcyclist from Ballarat died after hitting a pothole on the Western Highway in Victoria's south-west. The incident has sparked renewed concerns about the condition of the state's road network.

SR
By Staff Reporter
News reporter · Updated about 20 hours ago

A tragic incident occurred on the Western Highway in Victoria's south-west on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in the death of a 71-year-old motorcyclist from Ballarat.

According to Victoria Police, emergency services were called to the scene in Trawalla at around 12:50pm after reports that a motorcycle had struck a pothole and lost control. The rider died at the scene.

Investigation Underway

A Victoria Police spokesperson said, "The exact circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be determined and will be investigated."

Road Closures and Safety Concerns

All westbound lanes were closed on the Western Freeway between Windermere and Beaufort following the incident. This incident comes just days after a report highlighted the poor condition of Victoria's road network, with almost half of the roads in a state of disrepair.

Call for Witnesses

Victoria Police has urged anyone with dashcam footage of the incident to contact Crime Stoppers.

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