POLICE are urging caution after two deaths on North East roads.
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An investigation is underway after an incident at Myrrhee where a 47-year-old man fell from the back of a trailer which was being towed by a tractor on Upper Fifteen Mile Creek road on Tuesday last week.
The man was flown to hospital in Melbourne, but died on Thursday.
The Border Mail understands the incident occurred during hops farming operations in the area.
The second death occurred on Friday afternoon, when a 66-year-old Hawthorn East man was struck by a car as he was cycling on Benalla-Yarrawonga Road near Devenish at about 4.30pm.
The cyclist died at the scene.
The driver of the vehicle stopped to assist the man, and later helped police with their enquiries.
Detectives from the major crash unit are investigating the incident.
Both deaths have been added to the road toll, which now stands at 56.
With three other deaths occurring on rural Victorian roads within the last three days, assistant police commissioner Doug Fryer said motorists should stay vigilant.
“This year we have seen a significant reduction in the number of people killed on our roads and we were looking to be on track for a record low,” he said.
“While this is promising, we need to keep in mind that it’s not about records, it’s about saving lives.
“Each one of those five people killed had a family, a history, a story.
“They’re not just a number in a toll.”
Police are looking at a range of factors for the five incidents including speed, alcohol, fatigue and poor driver behaviour.
Worksafe Victoria also issued a statement, with the incident at Myrrhee one of three tractor-related deaths last week.
All are currently under investigation by the workplace safety watchdog.
Worksafe executive director of health and safety Marnie Williams said it was alarming that three such incidents had occurred within such a short time span last week.
“Each one of these incidents is a tragedy and our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of these men at this difficult time,” Ms Williams said.
“Tractors are an important farm tool but they are involved in more farm fatalities in Victoria than any other piece of equipment.”