Two Passengers Killed After Car Crashes Into Pole in Ferntree Gully

A tragic single-vehicle crash in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne has claimed the lives of two passengers after their car collided with a roadside pole on Oaklands Avenue in Ferntree Gully on the evening of Saturday, 24 January 2026, Victoria Police confirmed.

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The fatal collision occurred at approximately 5:55 p.m. AEDT, when the vehicle smashed into the pole on Oaklands Avenue, just east of the busy Burwood Highway intersection, a major traffic link used by commuters in Melbourne’s outer east.

Police have not yet released the identities of the deceased passengers.

Emergency services including Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, and local fire crews responded swiftly to the scene after reports of the crash.

Upon arrival, first responders found two occupants deceased at the scene. The male driver was transported to hospital under police guard via ambulance for treatment of injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

Detectives from Victoria Police’s Major Collision Investigation Unit (MCIU) are now leading the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Authorities have urged anyone who witnessed the crash, or who may have captured dashcam or CCTV footage, to contact Crime Stoppers to assist with the investigation.

As a result of the collision, the Department of Transport closed Burwood Highway in both directions east of Commercial Road to allow emergency crews and investigators to work safely.

Traffic disruptions were reported in the area, with motorists advised to seek alternate routes while clean-up and investigative work continued.

The crash adds to the growing toll of road fatalities in Victoria in 2026, with at least 16 deaths already recorded on metropolitan and regional roads according to data from local transport authorities.

Police have not yet determined the exact cause of the collision and are keeping all possibilities open, including potential factors such as speed, road conditions, driver fatigue, or mechanical failure.

Investigators are also examining whether any driver impairment played a part in the crash.

Anyone with relevant footage or information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or submit information anonymously via the official portal.

The MCIU emphasised that even seemingly minor details could prove crucial in piecing together what happened.