Police were called to a number of accidents as vehicles careered off the road, into barriers and onto grass on as black ice turned major highways and city roads into ice skating rinks. The worst was a double fatality just before 8am on Saturday in Daylesford. The crash left four children orphaned.  Swan Hill parents Michael, 41, and Jo Glare, 39, were killed instantly when police believe their Commodore hit black ice on the Midland Highway, skidded and struck a tree.

Their 18-year-old daughter was transferred to Ballarat Base Hospital with facial lacerations. At the scene Bacchus Marsh Sergeant Robert Pama said “treacherous conditions” had resulted in a number of collisions nearby.  Ms Glare, who was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash, was abiding by the 100 km/h speed limit, police say. However, motorists have been urged to slow down. “The conditions (on Saturday morning) were fairly treacherous. They were below zero and at this stage we believe there was black ice in the area, significant contributing factor to this accident,” Sergeant Pama said.

He said police would investigate if there were adequate warnings in the area and what changes needed to made given the frequency of black ice. 

“It astounded me (on Saturday) morning to see people overtaking police cars with our blue lights flashing. We were going 40-50 km/h an hour and we were still slipping on our roads,” Sergeant Pama said. “When you are driving in these conditions you have to be aware of it.” 

​”Black ice, it is not easily observed, it it will take a car that weighs a tonne and half off the road easily,” Sergeant Pama said.

VicRoads regional director Ewen Nevett said drivers must travel with caution and travel at or below 40 km/h in freezing conditions. 

“VicRoads will review the findings of the investigation of this crash to determine any changes that may be needed to improve safety in the area,” Mr Nevett said.