Two women have died after being struck by a car while trying to assist an injured kangaroo on a busy freeway in Melbourne’s north, prompting fresh warnings about the dangers of stopping on major roads.
The accident occurred on Thursday night, September 4, 2025, along the Hume Highway at Craigieburn. According to police, the women were travelling towards the city when their vehicle hit a kangaroo. They stopped to help the animal but were fatally struck moments later by another car.
Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing, Glenn Weir, said the oncoming driver did not see the women’s vehicle until the “last minute” and swerved, hitting the women at high speed.
A 30-year-old woman from Beveridge died at the scene. Her passenger, a 30-year-old woman from Thomastown, was airlifted to hospital but later succumbed to her injuries. The driver who struck them remained at the scene and is assisting police.
Weir described the section of road as dark and dangerous, particularly at night and in drizzly weather. “It’s inherently dangerous to be on the roadway, particularly at night … You’ve just got to really consider your surroundings,” he told ABC radio.
Wildlife rescue organisation Wires also urged caution. A spokesperson said it was “fully understandable” that people want to help injured animals, but advised contacting rescue groups instead of stopping on freeways. “People get so distressed when they see an animal on the side of the road,” he said, stressing that trained responders are better equipped to handle such situations safely.
The incident comes days after Weir addressed a parliamentary inquiry into wildlife road strikes. The inquiry is exploring driver education, public awareness campaigns, and measures to reduce road trauma linked to animal collisions.
Victoria’s road toll has now risen to 205 deaths in 2025, 11 more than the same period last year. Police said while crash causes vary, unsafe stopping remains a recurring risk.
“This is tragic for the women, their families, the driver involved, and every motorist who witnessed it,” Weir said.
