Wedderburn man, 63, and guide dog hit and killed in country Victoria

The 63-year-old blind man and his dog died at the scene in Wedderburn, 214km north of Melbourne, after the collision.

A man in his 20s was behind the wheel of a Toyota Corolla that collided with the 63-year-old. The driver stopped to render assistance before being transported to hospital with shock, Victoria Police said in a statement.

Campaspe Highway Patrol Senior Constable Paul Nicoll said the man was struck in the dark about 6.40am.

“The collision occurred almost outside his front gate on the Calder Hwy,” he said, according to the Herald Sun.

“It was dark. There is no street lighting because it’s a rural area. He was on his way to the gym. This is his usual route.

“He had his guide dog, a cane and was wearing a high-vis vest with flashing lights but we are unsure if they were working at the time.”

The Bendigo Advertiser reports the deceased walked into town every day and had only had the guide dog for a short time.

“It’s a bit of a shock,” Wedderburn Fish Shop’s Jenny Round told the newspaper.

Police held a press conference at 3pm today outside Echuca Police Station.

On social media, Victoria Police said simply: “We’re sorry to have to deliver more sad news”.

A 62-year-old Glen Waverley man was killed on Saturday night after being hit by a car on Ferntree Gully Road at Notting Hill.

He died at the scene and police have spoken to the driver.

The number of people killed on Victorian roads in the first six months of 2018 was 88.

This year, the road toll in Victoria is 139.