Rookie cop was in his first week in the job when he was one of four officers killed by a speeding truck in a horrific crash - as his heartbroken grandmother shares an emotional tribute
- Josh Prestney, 28, has been identified as one of the victims in Wednesday's crash
- Four police officers were hit and killed by a truck the Eastern Freeway at Kew
- Mr Prestney had only graduated from the police academy in November
- He and three constables had pulled over a Porsche driver for a roadside test
- Porsche driver who fled scene of horror fatal crash urged to hand himself in
- He reportedly tested positive to drugs at the scene before fleeing on foot
- Truck driver in hospital under police guard after he suffered a medical episode
One of the four police officers killed in a horrific crash in Melbourne was a 28-year-old constable who was on his first week on the job, it has been revealed.
Josh Prestney has been identified as one of the victims killed by a speeding truck on the Eastern Freeway at Kew on Wednesday afternoon.
Mr Prestney only graduated from the police academy in November, and was only working a short stint in the field before he was to be transferred to Kew police station.
His grandmother Eliza Anderson told the Herald Sun Mr Prestney was 'so proud to serve' his community.
The first victim has been identified as constable Josh Prestney, who only graduated from the academy in November (pictured)
The 28-year-old (pictured with his grandmother) was killed alongside three fellow officers while they were dealing with the driver of a Porsche, who had allegedly tested positive to a roadside drug test
Four police officers were killed when they were struck by a truck (pictured at the tragic scene) in Melbourne, marking the greatest loss of police life in a single incident in Victoria's history
He had reportedly only started in his new role on Tuesday, the day before the tragic accident.
'We were so proud of you. God bless Josh. Miss you forever,' she wrote in a Facebook post.
Ms Anderson had shared a photo of her and her grandson back in June when he was still in the academy.
'Proud Nan with my grandson Josh at the police academy,' she said in the caption.
A truck was travelling at 100km/h when it hit and killed four police officers dealing with the driver of a Porsche, who had allegedly tested positive to a roadside drug test.
As the officers arrived, a refrigeration truck ploughed into all three parked cars, killing the two senior constables and two officers as they stood in the emergency lane.
The driver of the black Porsche 911 fled on foot and remains on the run on Thursday, though officers know who he is and expect he will turn himself in.
Flags will fly at half-mast across Victoria on Thursday in honour of the officers.
Police pulled over a speeding driver at 4.50pm on Wednesday, then proceeded to call for backup from highway patrol when they decided to impound the car. By 5.40pm, the refrigeration truck had ploughed into the three cars and four officers, killing them all
The police car that arrived at the scene was crushed by a refrigeration truck about 5.40pm on Wednesday
Emergency services took the bodies of the four police officers away from the scene
Further details about the three other victims - a female senior constable, male senior constable and another male constable, are expected to be released later on Thursday.
Trevor, a cousin of one of the deceased officers and who drives a truck similar to the one involved in the tragedy, told Melbourne radio 3AW he was shocked by the tragedy.
'It hasn't hit home yet, but the job they do, I don't think is respected enough,' he said.
Trevor revealed his cousin had been in the force for eight years and leaves behind a wife and family.
'It's just devastating. They're not a number, they're a name, they're a family member, they're a friend, they're a cousin, they're an uncle and a brother, or a husband, or a wife,' he said.
Police confirmed one female and three male officers were killed in a horror crash in Melbourne
Victoria Police was inundated with heartfelt tributes from interstate colleagues
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by a member of the Narre Warren Police Department in Victoria to support the families of the victims.
Senior Constable Steven Pope is aiming to raise a total of $2million, or $500,000 for each family.
More than $29,300 has been raised by 442 donors in just 12 hours.
'This is a brutal reminder of the danger police face in the course of their service, every minute of every shift,' Constable Pope said.
'Whilst we mourn their loss, we grieve with their families and colleagues. Whilst money can never replace a lost loved one, the financial stresses can take their toll.'
All four officers were mowed down by the refrigerated truck after it veered off the traffic lanes into the emergency lane.
The Porsche driver, who's known to police, fled uninjured.
'It is an unprecedented event for us to lose so many officers in one event. Officers just doing their work, just doing their job,' Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said Thursday.
The 41-year-old Porsche driver apparently took photos at the crash site and shared them on social media, Mr Ashton told reporters.
The man, who has an extensive criminal history, has since made contact with police and will hand himself in.
The truck driver had a medical episode after the crash, blacked out and is in hospital under police guard.
Commissioner Ashton said the driver of the truck was taken to hospital following the incident, where he remains under police guard. They are hoping to interview him on Thursday.
Pictured: Moments before the truck ploughed into the officers and the Porsche, as officers speak with the driver in the emergency lane of the freeway
'He is from Cranbourne and we did a warrant through the night at his premises,' he said. 'What was found at that premises is still the subject of ongoing investigation.'
It comes as chilling footage emerges of the Porsche speeding down the same highway a month before it was involved in the accident.
Motorist James Tsagros saw the exact same car 'flying' down the same freeway at 'scary' speeds on March 21.
Shattered police colleagues and emergency workers across Australia have since paid tribute to the fallen officers in what is the greatest loss of police life in a single incident in Victoria's history.
The ages of the female senior constable, one male senior constable and two male constables killed have not yet been released.
One of the male constables had reportedly been part of the team for eight years - leaving behind a devastated wife and children.
Chief Commissioner Ashton said detectives were trying to piece together what led to the crash, but labelled the tragedy a 'crime'.
When asked why homicide detectives were at the scene on Wednesday night, he replied: 'Those officers (who died) have been victims of a crime.'
The tragedy rocked Victoria Police to its core and eclipses the loss of three officers gunned down by bush ranger Ned Kelly in the state's north-east in 1878.
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2020-04-23 03:10:11Z
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