A DRIVER whose car crashed into a beer garden in Australia killing five people, including two children, is an insulin-dependent diabetic who remains “deeply distressed” by the incident, his lawyer said today.

The collision – described by police as “horrendous” – killed members of two families from Melbourne’s Indian community on Sunday evening in Daylesford, a rural town northwest of the Victorian state capital.

The 66-year-old driver, who has not been named, was interviewed by police but not charged, his lawyer Martin Amad said in a statement provided to AFP.

“He is deeply distressed and feels great empathy with the families and friends of the victims and the Daylesford community,” Amad said.

“He is an insulin-dependent diabetic and required immediate treatment at the scene by paramedics. He remains in hospital,” the lawyer added, describing the driver as a “family man” with no criminal history.

It was not clear if the man’s insulin dependency had any bearing on the crash.

The driver returned a negative alcohol reading when tested, police say. 

The crash killed a 38-year-old man and his 11-year-old son as well as a 30-year-old man and his 44-year-old female partner, whose nine-year-old daughter later died in hospital.

Five others were injured, three of whom remain in hospital.

Police said this week that “all lines of enquiry are open”. – AFP, November 8, 2023.