West Gate Bridge horror: Police officer sues over Darcey Freeman death

A POLICE officer called to the scene of Darcey Freeman's brutal murder — thrown from the West Gate Bridge — is suing Victoria Police and VicRoads.

NOTE THE WORD DECEASED NEEDS TO BE CROPPED OUT OF PIC 08/10/2009 NEWS: Copy picture. Darcey Freeman who was thrown from the West Gate Bridge (Westgate Bridge) by her father.

A POLICE officer called to the scene of Darcey Freeman's brutal murder is suing Victoria Police and VicRoads.

Darcey Iris Freeman was thrown 58m off the West Gate Bridge by her father, Arthur Freeman, on January 29, 2009.

Police officer Colleen Spiteri, 43, has launched legal action in the Supreme Court saying police failed in their duty of care to her following the brutal murder.

In a writ filed with the court yesterday Ms Spiteri alleges Victoria Police does not have adequate systems in place to support officers exposed to stressful events.

She says she was left with post traumatic stress disorder and depression after being called to the horrific scene of Darcey's death.

The writ alleges Victoria Police failed to provide Ms Spiteri with proper counselling after the incident.

FIRST RESPONDERS: Officers say they’ll never forget Darcey scene

Arthur Freeman after his arrest for his daughter Darcey’s murder.

A view near to the location Darcey was thrown from the bridge.

Arthur Freeman is taken into custody.

Officer Spiteri says she has never recovered from the trauma

It also alleges Victoria Police failed to debrief her adequately and did not monitor her performance and health in the aftermath of Darcey's murder. It is claimed the incident was caused by the negligence of VicRoads, who is listed as the second defendant.

In 2014 Darcey's mum, Peta Barnes, reached a confidential settlement with VicRoads after taking similar action in the Supreme Court.

She said VicRoads continually ignored advice to install anti-jump fencing, which could have saved her daughter.

Barriers on the bridge were first recommended by a coroner in 2004, when there were an average of eight suicides from the bridge a year. But the government initially accepted VicRoads advice that $10 million was too high a price for barriers.

Immediately after Darcey’s death, the government announced it would fast-track a $20 million plan to erect suicide-prevention fences. Since they were installed, there has been an 85 per cent decline in bridge suicides.

Among a raft of allegations levelled at VicRoads, Ms Spiteri says it failed to carry out any risk assessment over the possible use of the bridge to harm others.

Ms Spiteri is suing for damages for pain and suffering, costs, and interest. She has not made any claims for economic loss.

Darcey’s father Arthur was jailed for 32-years for murdering the little girl.

Freeman’s Supreme Court trial heard that before the killing he phoned the girl’s mother and said, “Say goodbye to your children.” Freeman claimed he was not guilty because he was mentally impaired at the time, but this was rejected by a Supreme Court jury.

[e-mail]