Mortlake police Senior Constable Justin Rasmussen said the single-vehicle accident happened at 3.20pm on the Framlingham Road, which runs off the Hopkins Highway, north of Purnim.

He said the unlicensed rider tried to decrease speed approaching a right hand bend, lost control and went into a drain, hitting a driveway crossover.

The 17-year-old rider was launched into long grass, which cushioned his fall and probably saved his life.

The Kawasaki Ninja XC 300, worth about $5000, was wrecked in the crash.

The rider had used the motorbike to go for a ride.

"He's extremely lucky to be alive," Senior Constable Rasmussen said.

"The rider suffered minor head injuries and was conveyed by ambulance to the Warrnambool Base Hospital where he was assessed and treated."

Senior Constable Rasmussen said that a blood sample was taken from the rider and police would await analysis results before finalising charges to be laid against the youth.

In other news, a 34-year-old Merino man has been charged with drugs and firearm offences after a shotgun was found at his home.

Officers executed a search warrant on Friday and found about 100 grams of dried cannabis and a shotgun.

The man was charged with possessing cannabis and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

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