Father-of-five Brian Garven remembered after freak train crash in northern suburbs

A freak train crash in Adelaide’s northern suburbs has left five children without a father.

Five children have been left with no father after a freak freight train crash in Adelaide’s northern suburbs took Brian Garven’s life.

The 40-year-old was crossing the tracks when the loaded train hit him.

Emergency services were called to the Salisbury Interchange just after 6.30pm on Wednesday, May 29, but Mr Garven died at the scene.

His former fiancee Kellie Trinidad said she was on the phone with him moments before he was struck.

Brian Garven, 40, was crossing the tracks near the Salisbury Interchange, on May 29 at 6.30pm when he was hit by a train. Picture: Kellie Trinidad

“Brian was homeless at the time – I allowed him to stay at my place for a good three weeks,” Ms Trinidad said.

“Unfortunately, I was on the phone with Brian when it happened.

“I was asking Brian to come back home and I said ‘where are you?’ and he said ‘I’m at Salisbury Railway Station, maybe 15-minutes away, I’ll be home soo-’

“That’s when the phone cut out and from miles away I heard the freight train hoon.”

Ms Trinidad said she tried calling him back immediately “again and again” but it kept going to the messagebank – and her anxiety grew as time went.

Four hours later, SA Police had knocked on her door to break the devastating news.

Now Ms Trinidad said she was grieving the father of her kids.

“Brian’s eldest daughter is from his previous marriage – she’s somewhere in her mid-20s and our four kids are Braden, 13, James, 11, Amanda, 8, and BJ who is 6,” she said.

“He was a caring, loving man and he always made sure everyone else was looked after before himself … he just wanted everyone else to be happy,” she said.

Father of five, Brian Garven, has been identified as the man who lost his life in a freak train crash at Salisbury. Picture: GoFundMe

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport spokesman commented on Mr Garven’s death by reminding pedestrians to follow the safety instructions when crossing the tracks.

“This tragic incident occurred on a line operated by the Australian Rail Track Corporation and falls under that jurisdiction,” spokesman said.

“We always remind pedestrians to observe safety precautions at all times around rail lines and to ensure they cross tracks at the designated crossing areas.”

Unfortunately, Mr Garven didn’t have any significant funds at the time of his death and his next of kin Ms Trinidad is living off a disability pension – which means they are struggling to cover his funeral costs.

“Brian’s father passed away when he was young, his mother passed away (at) the start of last year,” Ms Trinidad said.

“Please help me lay this young man to rest.”

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