Woman hit by truck in serious crash at Gawler

A woman has died after being run over by a truck at a ‘dangerous’ intersection as her companions and dozens of people in nearby shops watched on in horror.

A truck has run over and killed a pedestrian at a notorious Gawler intersection while her companions, understood to be her grandchildren, watched on.

Witnesses described the “distressing” moment the woman was hit by the truck, followed by a “bloodcurdling scream”.

The pedestrian, a 73-year-old woman from Gawler East, was rushed to hospital with life threatening injuries but died a short time later.

The truck driver, a 56-year-old man from Murray Bridge, was not injured.

The crash occurred on the corner of Murray Street and Lyndoch Road about 12.30pm on Thursday, an intersection described by nearby business owners as perilously dangerous.

Sue Lewis, who owns Brendan’s Barber Shop at the intersection corner, said her shop was full of clients who witnessed what she described as a horribly distressing moment.

“The bloodcurdling scream from the person with her was just awful,” she said.

Police block off an intersection where a pedestrian was his by a truck at Gawler. Picture: Brinley Duggan

The road where a pedestrian was hit by a truck at Gawler. Picture: Brinley Duggan

“We had a shop full of people including a man with his young son getting his haircut. (It) was just horrible.”

Labor’s Light MP Tony Piccolo, whose office is about 50m from where the woman was hit, directed traffic at the scene.

Mr Piccolo said it was so “distressing” there was not much anybody could do.

Ms Lewis said the intersection was notoriously dangerous and she had seen countless crashes there with cars and trucks involved in her 24 years at the shop.

About two years ago a car lost control at the intersection and ploughed into the window of the business at the end of the intersection.

After Thurday’s crash the intersection was closed, but reopened in a limited capacity an hour later.

Brendan's Barber Shop owner Sue Lewis said she had witnessed countless crashes at the intersection. Picture: Brinley Duggan

Fasta Pasta co-owner Madison Oxley said her customers were so distressed by the crash they left the shop. Picture: Brinley Duggan

Another business worker, who chose not to be named, said she heard a noise before looking up and seeing the woman on the ground.

“I just can’t get that image out of my head,” she said.

Patrons of Fasta Pasta Gawler, which overlooks the intersection, were left so distressed by the incident they left the shop, co-owner Madison Oxley told The Messenger.

She said several witnesses in the store, as well as others nearer to the intersection, rushed to the aid of the woman.

Investigators from Major Crash attended the scene and investigations are continuing.

The woman’s death is the 44th on SA roads in 2022 compared to 61 for the same time last year.