Update, 1pm: A NEW caravan valued at more than $50,000 has been destroyed in an accident along the Hopkins Highway at Ballangeich, between Warrnambool and Mortlake.
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Skipton police Leading Senior Constable Paul Avery said the accident happened about 9.30am Tuesday when a four-wheel-drive utility being driven by a 65-year-old Warrnambool man was towing a caravan north along Mortlake Road.
He said possible mechanical failure led to the caravan becoming unhitched from the ute.
"The caravan has fishtailed from side-to-side but was fortunately still connected by chains," he said.
"A witness following the ute and caravan said the driver was sitting at a speed well under 100km/h so speed was not an issue."
Senior Constable Avery said the caravan and ute jackknifed and the caravan came to rest on the driver's side.
"The ute was still hooked up and the caravan was about one metre off the ground. The single occupant of the ute was taken to Warrnambool Base Hospital for observation," he said.
"The road was closed for about 90 minutes. The ute was towed from the accident scene and the caravan will have to be loaded before being removed from the roadside."
The police officer described rear-end damage to ute as moderate.
"The caravan was severely damaged. It is brand new and was being taken to the Ballarat manufacturer to get a service. It would be valued at well in excess of $50,000," Senior Constable Avery said.
"The driver was lucky. Other than the caravan becoming unhitched, everything else worked as it is was supposed to. The brake-away brakes assisted in slowing it down."
Senior Constable Avery said it was timely to remind all drivers to ensure chains were connected when they were towing.
"In this accident the chains have prevented the caravan coming off and potentially travelling into the path of another vehicle," he said.
Earlier, 10am: A CARAVAN flipping over while travelling along the Hopkins Highway at Ballangeich is causing traffic issues.
The alarm was raised about 9.45am and the caravan is currently blocking the road.
A tow truck has been called in an emergency services, including district police, are on the accident scene.
Further details are not known at this stage.
