Pangallo demands inquest into Darlington bike lane linked to police officer’s death

An SA Best MP wants a coronial probe into a fatal bike crash after the Transport Department declared a deadly lane safe but then made a major change.

Politician Frank Pangallo talks to the media. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

SA Best MP Frank Pangallo wants a coronial inquest into a fatal cycling crash at Darlington, after the Transport Department first declared a deadly bikelane safe but was then forced to make major changes.

At fault was a thick kerb which confronted cyclists head-on and without warning as they approached the new bikelane on Flagstaff Rd – the cause of a March crash which claimed the life of off duty Brevet Sgt Ashley Deacon.

The hazard has now been removed in a temporary fix, but Mr Pangallo wants the Transport Department to explain why it declared the site safe, instead of revealing safety works were needed.

“The Department needs to explain why significant alterations have been quietly made after chief executive Jon Whelan recently told parliament it was safe and met design standards,” Pangallo said.

“When I raised the matter with Mr Whelan in parliament’s Budget and Finance Committee on March 27, he declared it was “safe” and there was nothing wrong with the design because it met standards.”

A spokeswoman for the Coroner’s Court said only that the death was “under investigation”, without further detail.

The site of the crash was already controversial in the cycling community and police continue to investigate.

Changes have been made to the Flagstaff Rd, Darlington, bikeway blamed for the death last month of a cyclist. A concrete tripping hazard, pictured behind this warning cone, has been removed. Pictures: Frank Pangallo.,

Changes have been made to the Flagstaff Rd, Darlington, bikeway blamed for the death last month of a cyclist. A concrete tripping hazard, pictured behind this warning cone, has been removed. Pictures: Frank Pangallo.,

In March last year another cyclist, Paul Eustace, had warned the Transport Department of likely fatalities, but was also told the design was safe.

Dedicated volunteer and police officer Ashley Deacon died in a cycling crash at Flagstaff Hill . Picture: Swimming SA

And Mr Pangallo has revealed to The Advertiser there was another crash at the site, in August 2022.

But a Transport Department spokeswoman said again yesterday the design was to “Australian standards”.

She confirmed: “The Department removed the median nose kerbing, replacing it with a temporary asphalt ramp, pending the completion of the full investigation into the Shared Use Path”.

Mr Pangallo said there were also claims that lights at the site were out at the time of the deadly crash.

“On a bike travelling at least 50 km/h, in pitch darkness you wouldn’t be able to spot that kerb until it was too late,’’ he said.

Mr Pangallo said he would be asking the Department to offer compensation to Sgt. Deacon’s widow and family.

“His death rocked the police community. Hundreds were at his funeral recently, including the top brass of SAPOL,’’ he said.

“He would still be here today protecting our community had only bureaucrats listened and took the time to investigate the site themselves and make the changes they did this week.”