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Motorcyclist dead after horrific hit-and-run crash in Brighton

Published: July 8 2017 - 10:58PM

Friday was a deadly night on Victoria's roads with three fatal accidents within hours of each other.

A motorcyclist was killed after their motorcycle burst into flames following a horrific hit-and-run crash in Brighton East at 8pm on Friday.

Police said the crash happened on the Nepean Highway near the intersection of Union Street. 

Major Collision Investigation Group detectives believe the motorcycle was travelling south down the highway when it crashed into the back of an early model Holden sedan.

Absolutely terrible scenes in #brightoneast. 1 motorcyclists dead on the road after MVA & fireball with car. Nepean hwy blocked @abcnewsMelb pic.twitter.com/tOCN7Ydvwm

The motorcycle and the car burst into flames following the impact of the crash.

Two people inside the Holden sedan, a man and a woman, managed to escape the burning car and fled the scene before police arrived. 

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the woman handed herself into a police station in Melbourne's west on Saturday night and was interviewed by major collision unit detectives.

She was released without charge.

Police later arrested a 28-year-old man and charged him with failing to stop and render assistance after a collision, and driving an unregistered vehicle while disqualified.

The Ballarat man was bailed to appear in court on Wednesday.

The rider, who is yet to be identified, died at the scene.

Meanwhile, Greensborough Highway patrol were at the scene of a fatal bus and car crash in Thomastown.

Investigators believe that a car, travelling south, ploughed into the rear of a bus which was stationary on the side of the road, picking up passengers along High Street about 9pm on Friday. 

The driver of the car, who is still to be identified, died at the scene.

The bus driver and passengers were not injured.

Police would like to speak to a number of passengers who left the scene before they arrived.

The bus stop where the crash occurred is on High Street, near the intersection of Settlement Road.

About 90 minutes later, a man was killed in a head-on crash between two cars near the Victorian town of Mansfield.

The crash happened on the Midland Highway at Barjarg about 10.30pm. 

The male driver of one car died at the scene and the female driver of the second vehicle was trapped for more than an hour before being cut free and flown to hospital.

Anyone who witnessed any of the crashes is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

- with Steve Lillebuen, AAP

This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/motorcyclist-dead-after-horrific-hitandrun-crash-in-brighton-20170707-gx76t8.html