Truckie union’s trauma warning after three recent pedestrian deaths on SA roads

Two pedestrians have died after being hit by trucks in SA over the past three days, prompting more emotional calls to recognise and protect mental health.

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Truck drivers are “deeply traumatised” and often don’t return to work after being involved in fatal crashes, their union says in the wake of three pedestrian tragedies.

Two pedestrians have been hit and killed by trucks on South Australian roads over the past three days.

A 41-year-old man died on the Mallee Highway at Moorlands on Wednesday evening.

An Old Reynella man, 57, died on Port Wakefield Rd at Mawson Lakes in the early hours of Friday morning.

The fatal incidents come just three weeks after Ryan Kelly, 28, of Paralowie, was hit by a truck on the Port River Expressway at Gillman.

Mr Kelly’s grieving mum, Kylie Kelly, made an emotional plea for more dialogue surrounding mental health.

There is no suggestion that the truck drivers were at fault in any of the incidents.

All three deaths will be examined by the state coroner.

A roadside tribute for Paralowie man Ryan Kelly who was hit by a truck on the Port River Expressway in May. Picture: Mark Brake

SA Road Transport Association executive director Steve Shearer said drivers’ mental trauma could last a lifetime.

“Often they don’t return to work because it is a horrendous thing that somebody has died because they have run over them,” Mr Shearer said.

“They are deeply traumatised by it, and the image of someone appearing in your headlights just in front of your truck – and then you’ve got that horrible sound – just burns so deep into your brain.”

Mr Shearer said he made efforts to contact every truck driver who was involved in a fatal crash on South Australian roads.

“We make sure their employers understand that the driver should immediately get counselling,” he said.

A pedestrian died after he was hit by a truck on Port Wakefield Rd in the early hours of Friday morning. Picture: 7 News Adelaide/Peter Caldicott

Mr Shearer challenged the community to create more discussion on mental health to prevent fatalities.

“We understand that it’s uncomfortable, but if we don’t start talking about it, we will never progress and these incidents will continue,” Mr Shearer said.

Coronial investigations can take a long time, which Mr Shearer said could worsen the trauma for truck drivers.

“The presumed guilt can be lifelong,” he said.

“Until the drivers get real clearance and there’s public acknowledgment of that, it just weighs on them.”

There have been 50 lives lost on South Australian roads this year compared with 55 at the same time last year.

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