Death at 150km/h in Ferrari
A DREAM ride in a red Ferrari turned into a 150km/h double tragedy in a horror highway smash yesterday.
A DREAM ride in a red Ferrari turned into a 150km/h double tragedy in a horror highway smash yesterday.
Police believe the Ferrari was 70km/h over the limit seconds before it hit a tree and disintegrated.
Investigators are seeking the driver of a high-performance car with orange racing stripes seen in the area at the time of the collision.
Killed were father of four Paul Estcourt, 33, from Wandin North, and a 22-year-old Traralgon woman who had travelled to Melbourne's eastern suburbs to deliver a new motorcycle to him.
Police said that as she handed over the motorcycle the woman admired his Ferrari coupe and he offered her a ride.
But he lost control of the powerful Italian sports car going east along the Warburton Highway at Lilydale and hit the tree.
The Ferrari was torn to pieces and Mr Estcourt and his passenger died about 12.40pm.
Officers from the major collision investigation unit remained at the scene last night examining the wreckage and other evidence of what had happened.
Locals said cars regularly broke the 80km/h limit on the stretch of road where the car crashed. Police want to talk to the driver of a late-model silver Ford Falcon sedan with orange racing stripes seen in the area before the smash.
They yesterday blasted drivers who ignored warnings about speeding.
Sen-Sgt Trevor Ashton, of Lilydale police, said the deaths were an unnecessary and horrific tragedy.
"It's quite traumatic for members when we have to attend these things. It's very disappointing when you've got strong media campaigns and community awareness and you work hard with your local community," he said.
Sen-Sgt Ashton said the chain of events was especially unlucky for the passenger, who did not know Mr Estcourt.
"She's come down from Traralgon for a delivery and it's by sheer chance she's ended up in that vehicle. It's somehow finished up that she'd gone for a drive in the Ferrari and this has unfortunately taken place. It shouldn't happen."
Sen-Sgt Ashton appealed for anyone in the Falcon seen in the area to help with their investigation.
Devastated family friends of the Estcourts, Wendy and Santanna Thomas, rushed to the scene and were horrified by what they saw.
Ms Thomas said Mr Estcourt's death was a tragedy for his young daughters and family.
She said he was a man who loved extreme sports.
"It's just awful. He certainly lived life to the full. The motor sports thing was a real family thing. He used to do it with his girls," she said.
Ms Thomas said the stretch of highway where the accident happened was a notorious spot for speeders.
"This is a shocking piece of road," she said.
Warburton Highway resident Anna MacGowan said she was distressed to find twisted metal strewn over the road when she came to investigate a loud bang.
"I live 150m from where it happened and usually hear very little so it must have been a very strong impact for me to have heard it," she said.
Workmates of the young woman, from Traralgon Motorcycles, were too upset to comment publicly last night.
They said her family in Queensland had been told the terrible news.