Mallala train crash: Couple Ron Matthews and Margaret Moffatt killed as they were about to go on dream trip

A much-loved couple were about to embark on a dream trip around Australia when they were killed in a horrific crash with a train outside Mallala – the local community is reeling from the loss.

• Three killed in two separate crashes in horrific 90 minutes
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A hardworking couple preparing for a dream caravan trip around Australia were dropping their dog to a friend’s house when their car was hit by a train just outside Mallala, leaving a “huge void” in the community that cherished them.

Ron Matthews, 73, and Margaret Moffatt, 66, left a lasting impression on anyone they crossed paths with.

Whether it was building fences, or volunteering in the canteen, the proud Lions Club members were always happy to lend a hand.

Mallala locals Ron Matthews and Marg Moffatt died in the tragic collision with a train. Picture Facebook

A tribute sign in the Mallala Bowling Club where the couple were members. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

But, just two hours after celebrating a big win at Mallala Bowling Club, the couple and their dog Cookie were killed when their Ford 4WD collided with a train at the Old Dublin Rd level crossing, just after 3pm on Thursday.

“Hard worker is an understatement. I called him Too Busy Ron (TBR) because he was always busy,” Mallala Bowling Club president Andrew Parsons said.

“Anything and everything, he couldn’t keep still.

“And Marg, when she wasn’t volunteering at the football club, she was catering manager at bowls or the netball club. We lost community people. They embraced the community and the community embraced them.”

Margaret Moffatt, pictured with nine-month-old granddaugther Isla-Rose, was killed when the car she and partner Ron Matthews were in was hit by a freight train at Mallala on Thursday. Picture: supplied by family.

Andrew Parsons, President of the Mallala Bowling Club where the couple were members. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

On Friday, flags were flown at half-mast at the bowls club as locals struggled to comprehend the sudden loss of “such selfless people” and all matches will be cancelled on Saturday out of respect for the couple.

Three prominent locals – Ms Moffat, Mr Matthews and another man – have died in just five days

“I don’t know how the community is going to cope, it’s too hard a whack,” Mr Parsons, 57, said.

“Ron won’t be out at the racetrack collecting all the cans for 10c to create a donation for the Lions Club to give to some community organisation. That’s when he’ll be missed.

“Marg, when working in the canteen or the football club kitchen on a Thursday night and you need an extra pair of hands, they won’t be there.”

The couple, who met in 2015 at the local medical centre where Ms Moffatt worked, were about to drive to Mildura for a three-day break, before embarking on their caravan adventure next month.

Emergency Services crews at the scene of the crash, just south of Mallala. Picture: Dean Martin

Camp supplies and dog food cans were strewn across the railway tracks where the Pacific National freight train made contact with the car.

The train, more than 1.5km long, pushed the car a significant distance before it could stop. It was travelling from Perth to Melbourne.

Mr Matthews, originally from Victoria, found instant “chemistry” with Ms Moffatt when he visited the area as a Blaze-Aid volunteer to help rebuild fences after the Pinery fires.

The pair had been inseparable since.

Ms Moffatt is survived by a daughter, who lives in Adelaide, and son, who was travelling through the United States when he was told the tragic news.

Mr Matthews is survived by a son living in Victoria.

Train services were suspended while Major Crash investigators examined the scene for several hours on Thursday.

There have been 19 lives lost on the state’s roads so far this year, compared with 17 this time last year.