The fatal crash at Rosedale. Source: Channel 7
RELATIVES of an air force family were praying a critically injured boy would recover from a crash that left his father in hospital and killed his mother and sister.
The eight-year-old boy is fighting for life in hospital after a P-plate driver's car slammed into his family's vehicle on Princes Highway at Rosedale, about 190km east of Melbourne on Friday.
The boy's father, a 47-year-old Royal Australian Air Force serviceman, was on Saturday in a stable condition at The Alfred.
The boy's 45-year-old mother and seven-year-old sister were killed.
His youngest brother , 4, received minor injuries and was in his grandmother's care.
The father's sister on Saturday night told of her devastation.
"My world is now crushed! Today I mourn the loss of my 7-year -old niece and my sister in-law,'' she wrote on Facebook.
"I thank by the grace of God that my brother, although critically injured, and my 4-year-old nephew, are alive."
The father was attending an officers' training program at the air force's East Sale base.
The family lives in the Northern Territory.
The defence force was providing assistance to the family.
Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill said the 20-year-old driver of the other car had spoken from his bedside to crash investigators. Distraction and fatigue were possible causes.
"He will recover from his physical injuries as I understand - the emotional torment will stay with him for life,'' Mr Hill said.
The deaths were among seven from five separate crashes during a deadly period on Victorian roads since Friday.
On Saturday a man died in a single-vehicle crash on the Sunraysia Highway at Cope Cope, near Donald.
On Friday morning a woman, 70, died after her car hit another near Mildura. Later that afternoon a woman, 18, died when her car hit a tree in Mount Evelyn.
Also on Friday a couple aged in their 70s died in a collision on the Western Freeway at Melton.
The road toll stands at 209, 42 fewer than the same time last year.
rebekah.cavanagh@news.com.au
