Elderly man dies in hit-and-run

A DRIVER allegedly involved in a hit-run that killed an 86-year-old man on Lygon St has been charged.

Detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit continue to investigate the fatal collision which claimed the life of the elderly Carlton North man last night.

The victim was trying to get into his car which was parked on Lygon St in Brunswick East about 5.30pm when he was struck by a passing vehicle.

He was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital but died a short time later.

Police spokesman Senior Constable Marty Beveridge said it was believed the driver then fled the scene on foot.

Officers from the Fawkner Police Station charged a 40-year-old Mickleham man about 9.30pm for failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

The man has been bailed and will appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Eighty nine people have died on Victoria’s roads compared to 105 at the same time last year.

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Grass fire kills elderly woman

AN elderly woman has died after suffering extensive burns in a grass fire on her Diggers Rest property.

CFA regional duty officer James Dullard said firefighters were called to the 2ha blaze on Crinnion Rd, Diggers Rest, about 1pm.

After extinguishing the fire, they discovered the 77-year-old woman, suffering critical burns, lying beneath a gum tree on her property.

She was flown to The Alfred hospital with burns to about 60 per cent of her body.

She later died.

Forensics police examined the property and determined the fire was sparked by a rubbish burn-off.

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.

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