Framer
You've forgotten that this does not appear to be a NVMC accident. The accident was reported by the media after dark, but it probably occurred 15 - 30 minutes before last light.
It has been reported that the aircraft was wheels off at Essendon at 4pm which would give it an ETA Nhill about 44 minutes before last light.
The rules and decision making relating to this accident are day VFR ones.