Ian and Rose Hampel remembered after fatal crash near Gawler

Two community stalwarts killed in a horror traffic crash north of Gawler have been lovingly remembered by their adoptive children and grandchildren.

Two community stalwarts killed in a horror traffic crash north of Gawler have been lovingly remembered by their adoptive children and grandchildren.

Ian ‘Hamps’ Hampel, 67, and his wife Rose Hampel, 63, from Magdala died in the crash between the Toyota ute they were travelling in and a truck on May 17.

Loved ones paid tribute to the pair in The Advertiser, stating “Ian and Rose will be lovingly remembered by their adoptive children Carly and Tim and grandchildren, Jake and Amber”.

The couple was highly regarded in their local community, which also paid tribute to the pair. Both were well-known musicians who played gigs in Gawler and the surrounding areas.

They most recently joined 4titude Band, and played at Nova Cafe.

Band lead singer Jess Hayhurst said if it wasn’t for ‘Hamps’ and Rose, she would “never have got back into music”.

A couple killed in a horrific crash in the state’s mid-north has been identified as Magdala locals Ian and Rose Hampel.

“They were just good people, do anything for anyone,” she said.

“I met Hamps through buying hay from him – he was a farmer as well – and we just got to talking about music and things.

“They took me under their wing.”

The couple were both bass players, but Hamps had taken on the keyboard in 4titude – and he was known to be “very particular” about his stage set up.

Ms Hayhurst said he was dedicated to getting the right sound.

She would miss “the night we would spend at band practice, gasbagging and having a good laugh”.

“It’s still trying to sink in,” she said.

A worker at Nova Cafe – who asked to remain anonymous - recalled Ian and Rose Hampel as – beautiful people.

“They had a very kind and gentle spirit to them, always very welcoming … they didn’t have a bad bone in their body,” she said.

“They performed here for the first time a few Sundays ago and I know my husband was in the process of booking them in for a second performance in about a month’s time because they were just so good.

“It’s all just very sad, they were beautiful people taken away too soon in a very tragic way.”

Mr and Mrs Hampel didn’t have any biological children of their own, however, they acted as adoptive parents to a couple and their two children.

The large family lived together in Magdala.

The Hampels stayed on to defend their home during the Pinery fires in 2015.

Earlier, Ranch Sorting South Australia held a minute’s silence before its Round Robin competitions in their honour.

In a post to its social media, the club paid tribute to the couple who lived beside the sporting grounds.

“It is with the sadness we acknowledge the passing of Ian and Rose Hampel,” it read.

“Ranch Sorting South Australia’s neighbours and friends who often assisted us with maintaining the grounds at Ranch Sorting.

“Both Hamps and Rose were lovely people taken too soon and were wonderful members of our Magdala community.

“They will be missed by us all.”

The Selleck Transport truck driver, a 65-year-old Smithfield man, was taken to hospital with shock and minor injuries.

In a statement to 7News, the family run business that has operated for 50 years said the driver involved in the tragedy was an experienced one.

The statement said the owners’ priority had always been safety and compliance.

RSSA said its thoughts were also with the trucking company.

“Our thoughts are also with Selleck Transport at this difficult time,” it said.

“Selleck Transport are a major sponsor of Ranch Sorting and family of Nina Selleck.

“On Saturday and Sunday at the Round Robin competition we plan to hold a minute silence prior to starting to remember Hamps and Rose and send our heartfelt thoughts and strength to all other parties involved.”

Originally published as Ian and Rose Hampel remembered after fatal crash near Gawler