‘Beautiful soul’: Glenelg mum Georgina Heath killed in two-car crash at Hackham

A much-loved mum of two has been killed in a horror two-car collision, which left another five people injured.

The scene of the fatal crash on Main South Rd in Adelaide’s south early on Saturday morning. Picture: 7NEWS

It was meant to be a fun night out for psychologist Georgina Heath, celebrating a friend’s birthday at a popular southern suburbs Irish pub on St Patrick’s Day.

But in another horror fatal crash, the mother-of-two died after the SUV she was a passenger in was involved in two-car collision on Main South Rd, Hackham, in the early hours of Saturday, near one of the suburbs busiest roads.

Dr Heath, 51, of Glenelg, died at the scene while her partner, 30, of Morphett Vale, was among five people who were seriously injured in the crash. The vehicle had been travelling from the Mick O’Shea’s pub.

Major Crash police are investigating if speed was a factor and whether the 17-year-old driver of a Mitsubishi Lancer sedan had permission to be out driving late at night. No charges have been laid.

Dr Georgina Heath, left with daughters Teyah and Jessie Heath. Picture: Supplied,

As her family and friends paid emotional tributes online and authorities faced calls to upgrade local safety, police revealed more than double the number of people have died on South Australian roads so far this year, compared with the same time in 2022.

The crash is one of three since Friday afternoon, when the father of former Port Adelaide players Justin and Matthew Westhoff died in a motorcycle crash at Vine Vale. A woman, 40, died at Windor Gardens when her Holden station wagon was hit by a Ford Mustang about 10pm on Saturday.

In an update posted on social media on Saturday, one of Dr Heath’s two daughters wrote: “Rip mum. Don’t speed. Don’t drink and drive. Don’t be an idiot. Taken too soon. Still in shock.” Her Facebook post was accompanied with a red loveheart emoji icon. Her sister shared the message with three white loveheart emojis.

Friends and family also paid tribute to a “beautiful soul taken way too soon”, known as George, who was a leading UniSA academic.

They also told how she loved her family, “daggy” songs, early morning gym classes and a cheeky glass of bubbles.

“Devastating news, George was one in a million and a very special friend,” one friend wrote.

Another told how they were “absolutely heartbroken”.

“Your mum was an awesome chick,” they wrote.

“We were so blessed to have known her and share many great times with her listening to INXS so loud next to the bonfire, drinking champagne from bottles while sneaking in vodka and pouring it into sodas.

Georgina Heath. Picture: Supplied,

“Our hearts are numb and we are thinking of you girls.”

A third added: “Your beautiful mum was not just a member in my pump and rpm classes but a sweet friend and part of a close circle of wonderful, strong, supportive women who gathered most mornings before sunrise for not just a workout but a good catch up and laugh.” Emergency services were called to Main South Rd at 12.32am after reports the two cars collided near Melsetter Rd.

Witnesses told of their horror after the force of the collision destroyed the Lancer – which drove into the SUV’s driver side – before it pushed the car across four lanes of traffic into nearby scrubland.

The Mitsubishi driver, and his 17-year-old passenger, both from Morphett Vale, were seriously injured. Under state law, stage 1 P-plate drivers are banned from SA roads between midnight and 5am.

The two cars crashed near Melsetter Rd on Main South Rd at Hackham just after 12.30am Saturday. Picture: 7NEWS

They are also banned more than one passenger aged 16 to 20 years but excluding immediate family members.

There are exemptions for those who work at night or have other activities, such as sport, which require night driving.

The SUV’s driver, 35, of Aldinga Beach, another female passenger, 28, of Onkaparinga Hills and Dr Heath’s partner suffered non-life threatening injuries. All were taken to the Flinders Medical Centre, where they are recovering.

Staff at Mick O’Shea’s declined to comment. Dr Heath’s death takes the number of lives lost on SA roads to 34, compared with 16 for the same time last year.

Originally published as ‘Beautiful soul’: Glenelg mum Georgina Heath killed in two-car crash at Hackham