Truck involved in fatal crash on South Eastern Freeway ‘showed loss of control’ as it passed arrester bed
AN inquest into Monday’s horror fatal freeway smash will start tomorrow, fast-tracked because of public interest, as the widow of a man killed in the crash expresses her “deep sorrow’’.
THE State Coroner’s officer will begin an inquest tomorrow into Monday’s horror truck crash at Urrbrae that claimed two lives and left two others in a critical condition in hospital.
In an move of unprecedented haste, Deputy State Coroner Anthony Schapel, will start the inquest in the deaths of Tom Spiess, 56, and Jacqueline Byrne, 41, just four days after the tragic crash.
Mr Spiess and Ms Byrne died from injuries caused when a runaway liquid-waste truck smashed into three stationary cars at the bottom of the freeway.
The truck failed to make a left-hand turn on to Cross Rd and smashed into the cars while they were waiting at the traffic lights.
The truck driver, 29, and a Hahndorf woman, 49, remain in a critical condition in Royal Adelaide Hospital.
A statement this afternoon said: “The Deputy State Coroner has decided to commence this inquest as soon as possible because it is in the public interest to do so.
“The Deputy State Coroner, Anthony Schapel will hear evidence at the inquest from the
investigating officer, Brevet Sergeant Peter Light.’’
The inquest will begin at 11am at the Coroner’s Court, Level 1, 302 King William St,
Adelaide. Rosie Thewlis is the Counsel Assisting.
It comes as the family of Mr Spiess, a father of two daughters and grandfather to seven, released a statement expressing their “deep sorrow’’ and sympathy for other victims of the tragedy.
His wife of 37 years, Jan Spiess, today expressed gratitude to emergency service staff who have helped her family.
“We also wish to send our deepest condolences to all other victims and their families of this accident, as we are now seeing how far the death of a loved one spreads sadness through the community,’’ Mrs Spiess said in a statement released through police.
“The Emergency Services staff we have dealt with deserve a special mention as they had to handle a distressing situation and they have dealt with us in the kindest and most considerate way.
“Thank you to all involved for your patience and tact in helping myself and my family and friends to cope with this heartbreaking time.’’
Mrs Spiess asked for privacy while her family grieved.
Mr Spiess died at the scene. Ingle Farm mother Ms Byrne died in Royal Adelaide Hospital on Tuesday night.
The truck had earlier shown signs it was out of control before passing a potentially lifesaving arrester bed, The Advertiser has learned.
Sources have told The Advertiser CCTV cameras captured the truck travelling past one of two arrester beds towards the foot of the freeway moments before the crash.
The video is said to show the truck’s lights flashing a warning to other drivers seconds before it his the cars waiting at the lights at the Cross Rd intersection.
It has also emerged that the transport company that owns the truck is also being prosecuted in the Federal Court after a fatal collision in Perth three years ago.
Federal Court documents allege Transpacific Industries breached federal work health and safety laws by failing to identify faulty brakes on one of its garbage collection trucks. It collided head-on with a Kia Rio car on February 28, 2011, killing the car’s driver.
Australian Government workplace safety agency Comcare initiated civil proceedings in December against Transpacific Industries, alleging faulty brakes on the truck caused the collision and resulted in an unsafe workplace for its employee and the public.
Comcare alleges the Transpacific truck crossed on to the wrong side of the road and into the path of the Kia Rio after the truck’s brakes failed and it ran into the rear of another vehicle.
“Comcare further alleges the Transpacific Industries failed to identify the faulty brakes before returning the truck to service after the incident,’’ the documents state.
The last court appearance was on April 15, when the case was adjourned for mediation.
On Tuesday, Transpacific Industries voluntarily withdrew its national fleet of more than 2800 trucks for emergency safety checks and to “assist police with their investigations’’ into Monday’s tragedy.
However, Transport Workers Union SA/NT branch secretary Ray Wyatt said a safety audit should have been carried out before the accident.
He also said the truck driver in Monday’s crash had started on the job only about one week before the accident, after being recruited though a labour-hire company.
Truck drivers have told The Advertiser the truck had been used to clear sewage from septic tanks in Mount Barker before the crash.
Luke Wheatley, who has been a truck driver for 14 years, said the transport industry had been shocked by the fatal crash. “Most of the time the public is safe,’’ he said.
“When you look at the overall transport industry it works well most of the time, but there are occasions where things aren’t as safe as they need to be. Safety should never be put second.’’
The sister of John Posnakidis, who was killed in an October 2010 crash on the freeway, said yesterday her family’s prayers went out to the victims of Monday’s tragedy.
“We are devastated by the further loss of lives and injuries suffered as a result of the collision on the South Eastern Freeway on Monday. This revives traumatic memories for our family,” Sue Posnakidis said.
“Truck drivers and motorists need to be protected and safe on the freeway.
“We don’t want John’s life and the others lost on Monday and in recent years to be lost in vain.”
Mr Posnakidis, 42, was hit and killed by a truck while he was waiting at a bus stop at the bottom of the freeway.
The truck driver in that incident, Victorian man Daniel Walsh, was given a five-month suspended prison term after pleading guilty to two aggravated counts of driving without due care.
He also pleaded guilty to multiple breaches of trucking industry regulations.
In his preliminary inquest findings, Deputy State Coroner Anthony Schapel found Walsh was driving at an uncontrollable speed of 124km/h in a 60km/h zone.
Police Inspector Steve Kameniar said police had not yet been able to speak to the driver of the truck involved in Monday’s crash, and said it would be inappropriate to speculate on blame while the police investigation was open.
He also would not comment on Transpacific truck records or whether any defects had been found since the crash.
“Without limiting the scope of the investigation, police are considering the possibility of brake failure as a possible cause of the crash,” Insp Kameniar said.