63-year-old man dies after hitting tree on main road median strip at Mawson Lakes

A fire-services worker on an early-morning call-out has died after his van left the road and crash into a tree on Main North Rd.

A 63-year-old man has died after the van he was driving left the road and crashed into a tree in Adelaide’s northern suburbs in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The man from One Tree Hill was the sole occupant of the van that crashed into a tree on a median strip on Main North Rd at Mawson Lakes. Emergency services attended the scene just after 2am.

North-bound traffic on Main North Rd was closed as Major Crash officers remain at the scene.

The 63-year-old, an esteemed fire services employee at Airmaster, was on his way to an after-hours call at the time of the accident.

A statement by Airmaster referred to their employee as a “valued employee”.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time,” it said.

The company confirmed it was offering support to staff affected by the tragedy.

The man’s death is the 41st life lost on South Australian roads this year compared with 20 at this time last year.

It comes as RAA data shows 38 people have lost their lives on SA roads over the Easter long weekend since 2000.

About 60 per cent of those deaths occurred on high-speed roads with limits of at least 80km/h.

RAA’s Charles Mountain urged drivers to remain vigilant this weekend with wet weather forecast. He said he hoped drivers would repeat last year’s efforts, which saw the first fatality-free Easter since 2017.

“We know this has been a horrific start to the year on our roads … but every time we drive we have the chance to make safe, positive decisions,” he said on Wednesday.

“If you’re driving in the wet, please drive to the conditions.”

Meanwhile, police are warning they will be out in force over the long weekend targeting reckless drivers, especially in the South-East where extra officers from Adelaide will be posted to target, speeders, drink and drug drivers and phone users.