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A 56-YEAR-OLD man is in a coma after a horrific crash in Echuca last night.
The Melbourne man was trapped in his black Mercedes for about 45 minutes before Echuca-Moama Search and Rescue cut him out using the jaws of life.
He was flown by air ambulance to The Alfred hospital in a critical condition with serious head injuries.
Echuca's Leading Senior Constable Rod Brewis said the man had ploughed into the side of a parked truck in Sturt St outside The Pear Tree about 8.55pm.
"We're still investigating the cause but early indications are that possibly speed and alcohol are involved," he said.
"We're awaiting blood tests.
"We have spoken to a few people who saw the car speeding. Inquiries are continuing."
Snr Constable Brewis said the man was the only occupant of the car.
"If there was someone in the passenger seat, they would be dead," he said.
"The crash tore the whole roof off the car. Rescuers had to cut the door off to get him out.
"He was semi-conscious at the time but he is now in a critical condition in a coma at The Alfred."
Traffic was diverted for about two hours as emergency services cleared the scene.
It is the fourth crash in Echuca this week.
EARLIER
A MALE is being airlifted to hospital after being cut free from his crashed car in Sturt St this evening.
He had collided with a parked truck near intersection of Darling and Sturt streets.
Emergency services including CFA, Search and Rescue, ambulance and police attended with one firefighter described it as a very messy scene with glass and debris everywhere.
The man is believed to be seriously injured however the extent of the injuries are unknown.