By Aneeka Simonis
IDENTICAL brothers have tragically been split after a horrific rollover crash in Bunyip claimed the life of one over the weekend.
Mark Lewis, 22, from Drouin, couldn’t be saved after the car he and his brother Dale were travelling in fell down a 20 foot embankment into a river.
Dale, who sustained minor injuries, managed to free himself from the passenger seat of the partly submerged car, and call emergency crews just before 9.30pm on Friday 7 October.
But they were unable to save his brother Mark. His body was recovered in the river six hours later.
Mark, a father of one, has been remembered as a “great guy”, in tributes flowing through on his brother’s social media page.
Many gathered at the scene on Saturday to pay their respects.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said crash detectives were still investigating the cause of the crash.
The car rolled down the embankment off Evans Road, Bunyip, before 9.30pm.
On arrival, police located Dale and the ute, but was unable to find his twin brother.
Emergency services including several SES swift water rescue teams had to search the area.
The current and increased water levels at Bunyip River made the rescue “challenging,” according to Pakenham SES Media Officer Matt Spiteri.
“The water level was increased at the time due to the rainfall we have had, so that made it a bit challenging,” he said.
The man’s body was located in the river.
Anyone who witnessed the crash is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.
