Teens jump freeway barriers as stolen car bursts into flames
Updated . First published at
Two teenagers are on the run after a stolen car was seen speeding the wrong way down a busy Melbourne freeway before it burst into flames in front of terrified motorists.
Police were tracking a stolen car in Carnegie on Tuesday afternoon before it was seen driving in convoy with another vehicle on the Moorooduc Highway.
The car erupted in flames on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway near Lower Dandenong Road. 9News
Police deployed stop sticks on Centre Dandenong Road, but the car continued without front tires to the Mornington Peninsula Freeway.
Witnesses claim it was speeding down the wrong side of the freeway.
“I thought I was seeing things and the next minute it was getting closer and there was a car in front of me, so we both started flashing our lights,” witness Ben Tawfilis said.
“Then the car slammed into the barrier on the left and then there were cops coming from the opposite [direction], from our way as well.
“It was chaos, if it wasn’t for the car in front of me, I wouldn’t be here talking to you now.
“I have been shaking the whole time, I came home safely, gave my wife and kids a hug.”
Witnesses say they saw two males run from the car and climb over freeway barriers and down an embankment, where police said they fled in another stolen vehicle.
Police cordoned off the Mornington Peninsula Freeway in both directions between Centre Dandenong Road and Governor Road to allow firefighters to extinguish the blaze. 9News
Both vehicles are believed to have been stolen from Rosebud earlier in the afternoon, police said.
The Mornington Peninsula Freeway was closed in both directions between Centre Dandenong Road and Governor Road for several hours.
Nobody was injured.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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