Grieving widow Delphine Mugridge devastated after beloved husband Neville ‘Slim’ Mugridge’s memorial was stolen after Eyre Highway tragedy

Neville ‘Slim’ Mugridge’s roadside memorial which was erected by fellow truckers on the Eyre Highway had been removed by alleged vandals.

A grieving widow is heartbroken after a memorial for her beloved truckie husband has been stolen.

Neville ‘Slim’ Mugridge’s roadside memorial erected by fellow truckers on the Eyre Highway had been removed by alleged vandals.

It has been nearly a year since 77-year old Mr Mugridge was killed in a horror two-truck crash on Eyre Highway.

His wife, Delphine Mugridge, 74 has expressed her devastation at the attempts.

EXCLUSIVE: A grieving widow is seeking answers from heartless outback vandals who made off with her late husband's roadside memorial on the Eyre Highway. Delphine Mugridge has fought to save lives in honour of her truckie husband Neville who was killed driving near Yalata. #7NEWSpic.twitter.com/oPUAtPt5UD

— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) March 20, 2025

Mrs Mugridge told 7NEWS, “to have this done is just unbelievable.”

“Why would anyone do it?” she said.

“Is it a revenge thing or not? I don’t know”.

Last November Ms Mugridge achieved the goal of helping introduce stricter licensing regulations for Australia’s deadliest industry.

A nationwide first, the reforms were in response to a petition backed by more than 19,600 people.

Ms Mugridge said she “had to accept that Neville was gone and was never coming back”.

Delphine Mugridge presenting her petition backed by more than 19,000 South Australians to Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis. Picture: Talara McHugh

Ms Mugridge said her husband’s death was “totally avoidable” and didn’t want to see other truckies lose their lives on the job.

“I don’t want Neville to have died in vain,” she said.

The removal of his memorial nearly a year after his death has distressed his still-grieving wife.

“It wasn’t just a monument to say Slim was gone, he was a legend or that sort of thing. It was just a reminder that an accident happened and people were able to pay respects as they drove past,” she said.

Widow, Delphine Mugridge. Picture: Matt Loxton

“I’d say just bring it back, no questions asked because what’s the use in prosecuting? They haven’t achieved anything really, except removing it and making other truck drivers upset and me as well.

“Another trucking company has offered to replace it and Slim’s employer Mel will probably replace it as well but they’ll make sure they’ll never be able to remove it again.”

Originally published as Grieving widow Delphine Mugridge devastated after beloved husband Neville ‘Slim’ Mugridge’s memorial was stolen after Eyre Highway tragedy