Friends' joyride home on regional Victorian road ends in tragedy

A young man has died after he fell from the tray of a moving ute in country Victoria while travelling late at night with a group of friends.

Police believe the 21-year-old Drouin man was one of five people on board the ute, which was being driven along Silbys Road in Darnum at about 10.15pm yesterday when he fell.

It is understood the group, made up four males and a female all aged in their late teens to early 20s, was drinking at a local venue before they decided to head to a house.

Police are investigating the possibility that one may have been riding on the bonnet, while another two were possibly on the tray.

The man who fell was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries but has since died.

A 20-year-old Darnum woman, who lives near the scene of the incident, was earlier arrested and interviewed by police.

She has since been released from police custody without charge as police continue to investigate the incident.

Acting Sergeant Ben Oliver said the death was devastating two weeks from Christmas.

"It's horrible," he said.

"Some ill-thought-out decisions ended in tragedy for yet another family."

Anybody who witnessed the incident or who has dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.