Scores injured, traffic chaos in 20-car freeway crash

Incident: Heavy fog is a likely factor in a huge crash on the Western Freeway at Myrniong. Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP IMAGE

A MAJOR crash involving more than twenty vehicles has caused traffic chaos on the Western Highway at Myrniong, with paramedics treating multiple people at the scene.

The multi-vehicle collision on the Western Freeway at Myrniong on the Pentland Hills happened just before 4pm today.

Victorian Police said more than 20 vehicles were involved in the crash that happened with heavy fog in the area.

Ambulance Victoria confirmed paramedics were responding to “multiple multi-vehicle incidents” at Myrniong with crews treating at least 18 patients as of about 6pm.

Ambulance Victoria confirmed paramedics responded to “several multi-vehicle incidents” at Myrniong with a total of 20 patients taken to hospital.

One person was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital in a critical condition, while another 19 people, all in stable condition, were taken to hospitals including the Royal Melbourne, Ballarat Base Hospital, Sunshine Hospital and Footscray Hospital.

VicTraffic said the Western Freeway was closed in both directions between Bacchus Marsh and Ballan.

Trafic heading to Ballarat is being sent via Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road into Geelong, then Geelong-Ballan Road.

Travel to Melbourne is via Greendale-Myrniong Road, the Old Western Highway and Pentland Hills Road.

-WITH AAP