3 die in truck smash
July 4, 2004
A BUNCH of tiger lilies was the lone tribute to three family members killed in a horror car accident 60km west of
Morgan yesterday.
A Riverland local left the floral tribute on the family's compacted 4WD, which had been involved in a collision with a B-double truck, just off the Overland Corner Rd.
Damage to the four-wheel-drive was so severe
police were unable to remove the dead at the scene and had to wait for Major Crash investigators before taking the wreckage to
Barmera.
Police believe an over-taking manoeuvre gone wrong may have been the cause of the accident. The four-wheel-drive had been towing a caravan.
The force of the collision pushed the vehicles 100m off the road into scrubland, killing the three family members instantly.
Riverland Highway Patrol's Senior Constable Trevor Marshall said it was one of the most shocking accidents he had attended.
"It can only be described as horrific," he said. "It's usually a safe road; it's rare for any fatals to happen here." It is believed the family – a husband and wife and their adult daughter, who recently married – had just visited a friend, who lived locally.
They were heading towards
Morgan around 12.15pm when the accident happened.
Their friend, travelling behind the family party, witnessed the accident and was treated by
Barmera paramedics for shock.
Police were reluctant to comment on the cause of the accident, but were hoping to interview the truck driver, who had been taken to Waikerie Hospital in shock.
However, Senior Constable Marshall believed an overtaking manoeuvre and weather conditions might have contributed to the tragedy. "It's very windy on this stretch of road today," he said. "A car towing a caravan and the B-double truck could have been affected by the weather.
"It was certainly not speed, as this model truck can travel no more than 100km/h."
Last night, CFS and SES crews were waiting for Major Crash investigators to arrive from
Adelaide before taking the vehicles to
Barmera and notifying next of kin.
It is believed the family is survived by two adult sons.
Overland Corner Hotel chef Andrew Madge went to the scene, shortly after the accident.
"It's just shocking," he said. "I got a call after it happened and was told to bring some blankets.
I've seen nothing like this before."
It is the second fatal accident in the Riverland region this year.
The Riverland Highway Patrol attends seven to eight fatal accidents each year, but the area is considered relatively safe.
"It's a good stretch of road," Senior Constable Marshall said. "This one accident has taken us to almost our yearly average."