Warnings about Footscray intersection ignored before cyclist killed: coroner

A coroner has found authorities and developers ignored multiple safety warnings about an intersection affected by construction of the West Gate Tunnel before the “preventable” death of a young cyclist.

Coroner David Ryan said numerous concerns from road users were raised with the Victorian government and its subcontractors – CPB Contractors and John Holland – in the months leading up to Angus Collins, 22, being hit and killed by a truck, yet those in charge failed to ensure temporary changes at the intersection were safe.

The intersection of Footscray and Dock Link roads where 22-year-old cyclist Angus Collins was killed.Credit: The Age

Collins’ distraught family and friends say the companies involved did not do enough to make the intersection safer, despite being repeatedly told someone was going to be killed.

On Monday, the coroner highlighted a complaint in November 2021 from a transport company manager who emailed the Major Transport Infrastructure Authority expressing serious concerns about a dangerous, near-miss at the intersection of Footscray and Dock Link roads due to changes in traffic-light sequencing and the construction of large concrete pillars.

“The left-hand side is a blind spot for trucks. The lady jumped off her bike and the bike ended up underneath the trailers – seconds either side of this she would have been killed,” the manager wrote.

“The blind spot of the trucks and the closeness of the [pillar] to the crossing is a recipe for disaster and death, and we are all very lucky that this did not eventuate last night. Thousands of trucks use this road daily and the risk of recurrence is extremely high.”

The Footscray intersection where Angus Collins was hit and killed.Credit: Jason South

Fifteen months later, in February 2023, Collins died after being hit by a truck while he was cycling through the same intersection.

His father, Ian Collins, also a regular cyclist, said he was devastated to learn the developers were long aware of the risks and of actions that could have saved his son. He said he hoped the coroner’s findings would lead to widespread change to bike-rider safety.

“People found joy in cycling through Angus. He was someone who always had a smile on his face,” Collins said.

He said his son regularly cycled that way, from his home in the west to Deakin University’s Burwood campus, where he was only months from graduating with a degree in exercise science and business, even spending his days off contributing to research papers.

Collins said that on the day of the fatal incident, his son had been heading home from a shopping trip for camping supplies for an upcoming week-long solo hike to the Mount Buller huts.

“The positive energy and passion that Angus brought to all aspects of life are deeply missed every day by so many people,” he added.

Ryan said that in the years leading up to Collins’ death, numerous changes had been made to the intersection due to the West Gate Tunnel works.

When changes are made to a road, the authorities are required to review them and determine if corrective action has been taken before a job is “closed”.

During his investigations, the coroner found that between November 2018 and February 2023, numerous risks to road users were identified, including the high-risk removal of a left-turn slip lane which served to slow down cyclists.

In a September 2018 road safety audit report, the construction of a new elevated roadway above Footscray Road, complete with large concrete pillars, was identified as creating a high risk of truck and path-user collisions due to visibility issues.

Ryan said that while those in charge told the inquest “watch for traffic” pavement markings were installed in August 2019, there was no evidence they were present on the day of Collins’ death.

Community fears were finally realised on February 2, 2023, when Collins rode his bike west along the separated bike path parallel to Footscray Road, crossing on a green light at the same time a cement mixer also had a green light to turn left.

An aerial image of the scene at the intersection when Angus Collins was killed when hit by a cement mixer.Credit: Nine News

“[Arthur] Kalaitzis turned his truck left into Dock Link Road into the path of Angus and his bicycle. Angus braked hard but was unable to stop in time to avoid a collision and he lost control of his bicycle and slid underneath the truck,” Ryan said. “He was killed instantly.”

The coroner rejected submissions from CPB and John Holland, responsible for making the area safe, that they were unaware that their mitigation measures were “not sufficient” or “not effectively reducing the risks to cyclists at the intersection”.

“It is clear that the configuration of the intersection, including the location of the concrete piers at the south-east corner, significantly compromised the ability of drivers of turning vehicles to see bicycles approaching from the east, particularly if travelling at speed,” Ryan said.

“Mr Kalaitzis was not charged with any criminal offences as a result of the incident. He is understandably still traumatised by the incident.”

Angus Collins: “Missed every day by so many people.”

Ryan recommended an independent road safety auditor be used to assess risks before the jobs were closed by contractors.

Contractors, he said, were subject to significant commercial pressures that might cloud judgment when responding to safety risks.

“Angus’ death was a preventable tragedy which has devastated his family and caused significant distress to Mr Kalaitzis,” Ryan said.

“This case highlights the pernicious risk that exists at intersections between left-turning vehicles and cyclists … travelling straight ahead.”

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