Investigation into death of 37-year-old at Jakem 4WD park ‘could take weeks’

The devastated owner of a Hills tourist attraction where a woman died in a 4WD rollover says he always puts safety first – and it could take weeks to determine how the crash happened.

Police at Jakem Farm on Sunday. Picture: Jason Katsaras

The owner of a popular Hills tourist attraction said it could take weeks to determine how a Parafield Gardens woman was killed in a 4WD rollover on Saturday.

Jakem farm remained closed on Sunday after a 37-year-old Parafield Gardens woman died when the vehicle she was in rolled on steep terrain just before noon on Saturday.

Major Crash Investigators went to the scene again on Sunday to continue examining it and to retrieve the vehicle for further forensic examination offsite.

Farm owner Jason Grech said he was told the cause of the fatal accident may not be determined by investigators for weeks.

“We do as much as we can to punch safety in, even before they even get in their car – is it something I’ve missed?”

A tow truck leaves Jakem farm, with the 4WD on board. Picture: Emma Brasier

“I’m devastated, I can’t stop thinking has the vehicle failed? What’s gone wrong was it a freak event? I really want to know.”

“Some father’s woken up without his daughter on Father’s Day and as a father-of-five myself it really hits home,” he said.

Mr Grech said his staff were assisting police in recovering the vehicle and revealed that the group who the woman came with on Saturday were repeat customers.
“We offer free recoveries to guests to keep them safe, I just want to know what’s happened, we’re having a meeting this afternoon to discuss how long the park will remain closed,” he said.

The 4WD involved in the fatal crash at Jakem Farm at St Ives. Picture: 7 NEWS

A 37-year-old woman died in the rollover. Picture:7NEWS

Jakem Farm 4WD park closed after the tragedy. Picture: Jason Katsaras

Police near the scene of the fatal crash. Picture: Jason Katsaras

Earlier, witnesses described how the woman was thrown from a four-wheel-drive at Jakem Farm on Eclair Milne Rd, St Ives, just before noon on Saturday.

Police said the vehicle rolled in steep terrain and the woman died at the scene.

A Paralowie man, 36, who was driving the vehicle, sustained minor injuries and was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Earlier, Mr Grech said the incident had shocked staff.

“We’ve never had anything like this happen here; we’ve been incident-free for 14 years,” he said.

Visitors and campers planning to spend Father’s Day at the 320ha property were asked to leave shortly after the crash. Others consoled each other.

“Someone’s lost their child the day before Father’s Day,” Mr Grech said on Saturday. Jakem Farm said on its Facebook page that it would be closed to the public.

A witness to the crash said the woman was thrown out of the vehicle during a manoeuvre on one of the park’s 4WD tracks.

“A big group of us all came up for the day,” he said.

“It’s very sad.”

Major Crash police officers attended the scene to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
In a statement a spokesperson from SafeWork SA said they had been notified of the incident.

“SafeWork SA inspectors have been working with SAPOL to investigate this tragic incident.”