‘Bittersweet, final goodbye’: Disability bus crash victim remembered after respite trip tragedy

A woman who died in a fatal crash involving a disability transport vehicle in Hayborough has been remembered as a “character” who was “always up for a chat.”

• Woman arrested over fatal van crash

A woman who died in a fatal crash involving a disability transport vehicle in Hayborough is being remembered as a “character, always up for a chat.”

Debbie Johnston died on Sunday when a respite trip turned to tragedy.

Registered Adelaide-based provider Care Assure was on respite visit to the area when their Toyota van struck a tree at the intersection of Ocean Rd and Port Elliot Rd.

A friend of Debbie took to social media to pay tribute to the 59-year-old woman from Davoren Park.

Bridget Turner shared a recent photo of Debbie during an outing with friends calling the snap a “bittersweet reminder of a final goodbye”.

“This last encounter will forever be remembered,” she said.

The woman who died in the Hayborough crash was Debbie Johnston. Picture: Facebook

Police and emergency services are at the scene of a serious crash at Hayborough. Picture: 7NEWS

“Our friendship was marked by countless memories and shared laughter. I hope that I contributed positively to your life. Your memory will stay with me forever.”

Another social media user Donna Farrell shared her grief.

“You are going to be sadly missed Deb. I remember all the chats you and I had and your cat that scared the shit out of me every time,” she said.

“R.I.P. beautiful lady.”

Fellow friend Desley Davis described Debbie as a “character always up for a chat”.

“Good memories, sad times rest with the angels Debbie. Blessings to her family,” she said.

The tributes come as Major Crash investigators arrested the driver and charged her with causing death by careless use of a motor vehicle and causing injury by careless use of a motor vehicle.

The driver, a 20-year-old woman from Northfield, and front passenger, a 30-year-old woman from Croydon Park, were both taken to hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten said he had been briefed on the incident which had been reported to the NDIS commission.

“I have asked to be kept updated as the investigation is under way,” he said.

The Advertiser understands Care Assure reported the incident to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission within 24 hours of the incident, as mandated by the commission.

A spokeswoman said it was working with SA Police and “making further inquiries to understand the circumstances” of the incident.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved,” she said.

Originally published as ‘Bittersweet, final goodbye’: Disability bus crash victim remembered after respite trip tragedy