Driver’s view: Drive-through of Marryatville crash site crossing shows sun obscuring traffic lights

Video shot this morning captures what the truck driver who allegedly struck two students outside Marryatville High School would have seen in the moments before the crash.

The father of a 16-year-old girl seriously injured at a pedestrian crossing outside Marryatville High School has raised concerns over the safety of its traffic lights, one of which is partially obscured by a fallen branch.

But the council said it “could not comment” on whether it would be chopping back the tree in the wake of the horrific accident.

Two 16-year-old students, a boy and a girl, were struck by a truck when it allegedly ploughed through a red light at the crossing on Wednesday morning, just after 8am.

The girl’s father, Simon, made an emotional visit to the scene 24 hours later to assess the traffic lights that left his daughter in hospital.

He told a reporter at the scene that he had contacted the Norwood, Payneham and St Peters Council regarding a tree branch that appeared to be blocking one of the lights and a “twisted sign”.

The “very, very emotional” father also revealed his daughter was expected to recover from her injuries.

The father of the injured girl at the scene of the crash. Picture: 7NEWS

Bright sunlight glares into the driver's cabin as a vehicle approaches the Kensington Rd lights where two teenagers were struck. Picture: 7NEWS

The approach to the pedestrian crossing outside Marryatville High School, with the tree branch over the traffic light. Picture Brenton Edwards

When The Advertiser approached the council about whether they were aware of the tree’s position, a spokesperson refused to comment on the circumstances surrounding the devastating accident.

“As the matter is currently being investigated by SA Police and the alleged offender has been bailed to appear in court, the council will not be making any comment at this time,” they said.

Vision from 7NEWS taken from the driver’s seat of a vehicle at the same time of the accident shows glaring light from the eastern sun as traffic approaches the crossing on Kensington Rd, travelling outbound from the city.

The traffic lights are shadowed by the bright light as the driver heads through the crossing, but are still visible.

Separate dashcam video captured the moments before the horror unfolded on Kensington Rd, showing the traffic light was red for at least four seconds before the truck entered the pedestrian crossing.

The pedestrian crossing lights outside Marryatville High School on Kensington Road. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

One parent with a child at the school said “more needed to be done” to avoid incidents on busy Kensington Rd, calling for better safety measures to be put in place.

A 60-year-old man, who was not injured, was arrested by Major Crash officers on Wednesday afternoon and charged with two counts of causing injury by dangerous driving.

He was released on bail and will appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court on June 7.

Originally published as Driver’s view: Drive-through of Marryatville crash site crossing shows sun obscuring traffic lights