Adelaide crash: Two women dead after 'horrific' collision in Adelaide

The two people killed in a horror three-way crash in Adelaide have been identified. One was a top ranking police officer.

One of South Australia’s top-ranking and most decorated police officers has been killed in a horrific high-speed crash that also claimed the life of another woman.

Chief Superintendent Joanne Shanahan, 55, died in the three-car collision at an intersection in the Adelaide suburb of Urrbrae, just after 1.30pm on Saturday, according to The Advertiser.

The incident occurred because another vehicle was travelling at “excessive speeds”, according to SA Police.

One of South Australia’s top-ranking and most decorated police officers has been killed in a horrific high-speed crash.

Chief-Supt Shanahan, who has also served as acting assistant commissioner, was the passenger in a Holden SUV driven by her husband Peter Shanahan.

The other victim was identified as Tania McNeill, also in her 50s, who was unable to be saved by paramedics.

Emergency services including SA Police, a HAZMAT response team, paramedics and the SA Metropolitan Fire Service were called to the serious crash.

Footage shows workers covering the crumpled vehicles in yellow and green tarpaulins.

The residents of this house on Cross Road in #Urrbrae say they saw a car become airborne and hit the street light before crashing down behind this tree.

Three cars were involved in this serious car crash at 1:40pm, the welfare of the passengers not yet confirmed. @abcadelaide pic.twitter.com/yx0TfQ5wAq

— Sara Tomevska (@STomevska) April 25, 2020

Extensive damage at scene of horrific three car smash at Urrbrae. More details to come. @10NewsFirstAdl pic.twitter.com/biM2jshBeY

— Kate Somers (@kate_a_somers) April 25, 2020

The investigation is ongoing but police said they understand excessive speed was a factor.

SA Police Superintendent Craig Wall said on Saturday a 20-year-old man who was driving a 4WD Volkswagen was in the Royal Adelaide Hospital with “very serious injuries”.

He confirmed it was a “high-speed crash” and described the scene as “horrific”.

“As you can imagine, this is an absolutely tragic set of circumstances for everyone involved,” he said.

“Tragic for not only the families but for the emergency services attending here today.”

Major crash investigators were still at the scene on Saturday night and the bodies were yet to be removed.

The Advertiser reports the crash involved two cars and a truck which may have been carrying chemicals.

The crash scene. Picture: Twitter/@laurenrosevj/Seven News

Residents have told Seven News they were upstairs when one of the cars went “flying” past. According to 10 News, there were reports of a car travelling at extremely high speed prior to the crash.

SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens was seen at the scene.

Traffic was blocked in all directions and police asked motorists to avoid the area.

Traffic is blocked in all directions at the intersection of Cross Rd and Fullarton Rd #Urrbrae following a serious crash. Avoid the area. https://t.co/psWfUwKJ8s pic.twitter.com/zH9MR67C2h

— South Australia Police (@SAPoliceNews) April 25, 2020

The Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has come to the scene #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/xwwlP7s1t1

— Lauren Rose (@laurenrosevj) April 25, 2020

SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens addressed media in a press conference this morning, and held back tears as he confirmed the death of “a dear friend”.

“Sadly the real tragedy of road fatalities has been brought home to South Australia police yesterday when we lost one of our finest senior police officers,” Mr Stevens said.

He said Mrs Shanahan joined SA Police in 1981 and was a “highly respected member of the organisation”.

“Not only have we lost a beautiful person, but we’ve lost an officer with a wealth of knowledge,” Mr Stevens said.

Her husband Mr Shanahan, 63, a former detective and now SA Police General Counsel, sustained minor injuries and was treated at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

He has been discharged and is with his adult son and daughter.

South Australian Police are mourning the loss of their colleague and friend.

Mr Stevens read a statement from the family of Tania McNeill, who also died in the crash.

“Yesterday afternoon we lost our beloved Tania at the age of 53. Tania is survived by her husband, son, parents and sister,” the statement said.

“Tania was a loving vibrant lady who enjoyed a good laugh. She was a kind and loving mother, wife, daughter and sister who would do anything for anyone. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

“Tania worked extremely hard in her day job as well and helping out with the family business.

“Words cannot describe the pain our family are feeling at this time. Tania’s loss will be deeply felt by so many forever. We ask for privacy during this time.”