Gawler grandmother Christine Read hit and killed by truck remembered

State and local governments have flagged a review of road safety in Gawler, after a 72-year-old woman was hit by a truck and died. Friends say the community stalwart will be sorely missed.

The grandmother hit and killed in a truck tragedy at Gawler on Thursday was a beloved community stalwart who went out of her way to help others.

Gawler East woman Christine Read, 72, was rushed to hospital after being hit by a truck at about 12.30pm at the Lyndoch Road and Murray Street intersection, but died hours later.

Witnesses described a devastating scene in which her female companions, understood to be her granddaughters, were with her when she was hit.

Friends from the Gawler Care and Share Group, where Mrs Read was an “integral member”, described the void her loss would leave.

“Her friendship, her compassion and her love for other shone through all the time,” Reverend Shirley Coe said.

Gawler East woman Christine Read has been remembered as a kind and generous woman. Picture: Supplied

“She was always a very caring and considerate person who would be there if somebody was down on their luck.

Penka Payloe, from the group, said Mrs Read was a one of a kind contributor and a “true Christian”.

“She cared for her community and the people in her community,” she said.

“She would always take the time out to speak to people if somebody was feeling lost.

“She had a knack for noticing it and would speak to them and try to assist them.

“She was much loved and she’s going to be sorely missed.”

Christine Read was remembered by her friends as a caring community member. Picture: Supplied

Mrs Read was remembered by others as a generous and kind-hearted woman.

“Fly high sweetheart. (I) was blessed enough to know your beautiful soul will be very missed,” one man said.

Several witnesses rushed to the aid of Mrs Read, blocking off the road, directing traffic and coming together as a community in a time of tragedy.

Mrs Read’s death was the 44th on South Australian roads in 2022 compared with 61 for the same time in 2021.

LOCAL REVIEW

The government undertake a review of its safety after Mrs Read’s death, as locals call for more to be done to prevent future tragedies.

Gawler Council Mayor Karen Redman has called for immediate intervention while Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis has already sought a report from the department.

Ms Redman said the corner was “really tight and very old”, like many streets in Gawler, particularly those leading to Murray St.

Ms Redman said the state government needed to immediately look at how the incident happened and commit to stopping it from happening again.

“There is a solution but it requires the state government to get on board,” she said.

“The department needs to put their thinking caps on and find the best way forward.

“They need to think of things to improve pedestrian safety and line of sight.

“It’s a real shame we’ve had a death and a family is grieving for there to be a focus here.”

Mr Koutsantonis told ABC Radio Labor Light MP Tony Piccolo had raised issues about the intersection with him.

“I am asking the department to do a review to look at it and give me a report about what it is we can do, what went wrong and how we can fix it,” he said.

Gawler mayor Karen Redman . Picture: Colin James

Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis. Picture Matt Turner.

Ms Redman suggested the “long-term” solution was a much-discussed eastern bypass, but said improvement needed to happen in the interim.

Her comments were echoed by Mr Piccolo, who rendered help at the scene.

Mr Piccolo told The Messenger planning on a northeast link, allowing trucks to bypass Gawler, needed to begin and he was keen to discuss it with the government.

Ms Redman was adamant trucks needed to continue to service Gawler as a “major commercial precinct”

Nearby shop owners told The Messenger the intersection of Lyndoch Rd and Murray Street as “dangerous” and recounted several crashes and near misses.

An 83-year-old woman in 2017 died after being hit by a truck just 700m south of Thursday’s incident in tragically similar circumstances.

That intersection was also described as dangerous by nearby residents who had witnessed several near-misses at the corner.

Shortly after, the narrow corner, at the junction of Julian Tce and Bridge St South, was upgraded with a focus on pedestrian safety.

The Transport Department has been contacted for comment.