Road to Phillip Island closed after fatal accident

A fatal accident on Phillip Island has severed the island's connection to the mainland this morning. The incident occurred at San Remo in Victoria's south-east, where a motorcycle and car collided. The motorcyclist succumbed to injuries at the scene, while the driver of the car stopped and escaped unharmed. Phillip Island Road serves as the sole link between San Remo and the island, leading to its closure in both directions.

The road reopened later in the day. Phillip Island is renowned for its large population of little penguins and attracts numerous tourists annually for its nightly penguin parade. Newhaven College on the island suspended all buses beyond San Remo due to the closure. Delays are anticipated to last up to four hours, with the school remaining open for students and staff residing on Phillip Island.

However, staff members living beyond San Remo have been advised to remain at home. Local resident Hayley Brebner noted the road's unusual quietness, a stark contrast to the usual bustling traffic. She observed the impact of major incidents on the island, which can sometimes leave locals stranded in traffic for hours. Amanda Keilar, a resident near the crash site, first learned of the accident through an emergency alert and local community pages.

Her friend, who faced traffic delays, contacted her to inform of the police turning around their vehicle. Garrey Dove, running the Phillip Island Traffic Check 2.0 Facebook page, reported that residents were unable to access or exit the island due to the disruption. The page serves as a platform for residents to share traffic updates, particularly during major incidents that impact island access.