carjacking in diggers rest leaves man injured.
Updated: Sep 15
A 63-year-old man was taken to hospital following an alleged carjacking on the Calder Freeway near Diggers Rest.
Police allege that shortly before 5am on 15 August 2026, a man attempted to stop several vehicles using a roadworks sign. When the driver of a Ford F150 utility slowed down to offer assistance, police allege the man grabbed the driver from the vehicle and drove away. The 63-year-old Horsham man was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The vehicle was later recovered in Melton. Police subsequently arrested a 42-year-old man and charged him with more than 50 offences, including aggravated carjacking, aggravated assault and aggravated burglary.
A carjacking can be a traumatic experience, particularly where the victim is unexpectedly physically removed from their vehicle and injured. The effects of violent crime may include both physical injuries and ongoing psychological distress.
In Victoria, eligible victims of violent crime may be able to apply for financial assistance through the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS). Depending on the circumstances of the offending, financial assistance may be available for medical and counselling treatment expenses, safety-expenses and other recovery-related expenses.