Melbourne crash: Police officer was on his first week on the job

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Melbourne crash: Police officer was on his first week on the job

One of the four police officers killed in a horrific car crash in Melbourne was a 28-year-old constable who was on his first week on the job, it has been revealed.

Josh Prestney has been identified as one of the victims killed by a speeding truck on the Eastern Freeway at Kew on Wednesday afternoon.  

Mr Prestney only graduated from the police academy in November, and was only working a short stint in the field before he was to be transferred to Kew police station. 

His grandmother Eliza Anderson told the Herald Sun Mr Prestney was ‘so proud to serve’ his community. 

The first victim has been identified as constable Josh Prestney, who only graduated from the academy in November (pictured)

Four police officers were killed when they were struck by a truck (pictured at the tragic scene) in Melbourne, marking the greatest loss of police life in a single incident in Victoria’s history

He had reportedly only started in his new role on Tuesday, the day before the accident.

‘We were so proud of you. God bless Josh. Miss you forever,’ she wrote in a Facebook post.

Ms Anderson had shared a photo of her and her grandson back in June when he was still in the academy. 

‘Proud Nan with my grandson Josh at the police academy,’ she said in the caption.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by a member of the Narre Warren Police Department in Victoria to support the families of the victims. 

Senior Constable Steven Pope is aiming to raise a total of $2million, or $500,000 for each family. 

More than $29,300 has been raised by 442 donors in just 12 hours. 

‘This is a brutal reminder of the danger police face in the course of their service, every minute of every shift,’ Constable Pope said. 

‘Whilst we mourn their loss, we grieve with their families and colleagues. Whilst money can never replace a lost loved one, the financial stresses can take their toll.’ 

The police car that arrived at the scene was crushed by a refrigeration truck about 5.40pm on Wednesday

Police confirmed one female and three male officers were killed in a horror crash in Melbourne

Victoria Police was inundated with heartfelt tributes from interstate colleagues

A truck was travelling at 100km/h when it hit and killed four police officers dealing with the driver of a Porsche, who had tested positive to a roadside drug test.

As the officers arrived, a refrigeration truck ploughed into all three parked cars, killing the two senior constables and two officers as they stood in the emergency lane.  

The driver of the black Porsche 911 fled on foot and remains on the run on Thursday, though officers know who he is and expect he will turn himself in. 

Flags will fly at half-mast across Victoria on Thursday in honour of the officers. 

Further details about the three other victims – a female senior constable, male senior constable and another male constable, are expected to be released later on Thursday.

‘It is an unprecedented event for us to lose so many officers in one event. Officers just doing their work, just doing their job,’ Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said Thursday.

The 41-year-old Porsche driver apparently took photos at the crash site and shared them on social media, Mr Ashton told reporters.

The man, who has an extensive criminal history, has since made contact with police and will hand himself in.

The truck driver had a medical episode after the crash, blacked out and is in hospital under police guard.

Emergency services took the bodies of the four police officers away from the scene

Pictured: Moments before the truck ploughed into the officers and the Porsche, as officers speak with the driver in the emergency lane of the freeway

Commissioner Ashton said the driver of the truck was taken to hospital following the incident, where he remains under police guard. They are hoping to interview him on Thursday.

‘He is from Cranbourne and we did a warrant through the night at his premises,’ he said. ‘What was found at that premises is still the subject of ongoing investigation.’  

It comes as chilling footage emerges of the Porsche speeding down the same highway a month before it was involved in the accident. 

Motorist James Tsagros saw the exact same car ‘flying’ down the same freeway at ‘scary’ speeds on March 21. 

Shattered police colleagues and emergency workers across Australia have since paid tribute to the fallen officers in what is the greatest loss of police life in a single incident in Victoria’s history.    

The ages of the female senior constable, one male senior constable and two male constables killed have not yet been released.

One of the male constables had reportedly been part of the team for eight years – leaving behind a devastated wife and children.

Chief Commissioner Ashton said detectives were trying to piece together what led to the crash, but labelled the tragedy a ‘crime’. 

When asked why homicide detectives were at the scene on Wednesday night, he replied: ‘Those officers (who died) have been victims of a crime.’  

The tragedy rocked Victoria Police to its core and eclipses the loss of three officers gunned down by bush ranger Ned Kelly in the state’s north-east in 1878. 

Source: Daily Mail australia

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