Death of Adelaide Hills mother, teacher Judith Ditter could have been prevented, court hears

A court has heard the death of a beloved mother and teacher could potentially have been prevented if the tree that killed her had been examined earlier.

The owner of a “significant” tree that fell across a main road, killing a beloved mother and teacher as she drove her daughter home on a windy night, said an arborist had advised her it needed to be treated just a year before the freak accident.

Giving evidence in an inquest into the death of Judith Ditter at the Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, Stirling homeowner Kerri Anne Hayes told Deputy State Coroner Ian White she had purchased her home on Mt Barker Rd just 11 months before a tree branch hanging across the road fell and hit an oncoming motorist.

A mother and Seymour schoolteacher, Mrs Ditter was driving with her 26-year-old daughter at about 10pm on November 11, 2020 when the branch fell on her car.

Her daughter suffered serious injuries – including a fractured skull – but Mrs Ditter died at the scene.

Judith Ditter died after a tree branch landed on her car in November 2020. Picture: Supplied by family

Counsel assisting the Coroner, Martin Kirby, told the court on Wednesday that Mrs Ditter and her husband Bruce had lived in the Adelaide Hills suburb of Crafers for 23 years, and were the parents to three children.

“The tributes in the newspaper following her death spoke of a devoted teacher who was committed to her family, her students, the community and her faith,” Mr Kirby said.

“As a result (of the branch falling), (her daughter) suffered a fracture to the base of her skull, some fractured ribs, and fractures to her vertebrae. Mrs Ditter fared worse than her daughter, and died as a result of the incident.”

The tree branch after it fell killing Mrs Ditter. Picture: Mike Burton

Crews at the scene after the incident. Picture: Harvey Biggs/Nine News Adelaide

In questioning, Mr Kirby asked Ms Hayes if she had called an arborist to examine the trees on the property after she purchased it in December 2019.

“Yes, I wanted advice or a plan to have some trees removed or looked at, to see if they represented any danger,” she said.

“I consulted two arborists that were too busy, but Tom Fleming came out to have a look. He came and gave me advice.

“He told me the two cottonwood trees in the front of the yard that were protruding onto Mt Barker Rd were classed as significant trees and that it meant I needed council approval to remove them and the road would have to be blocked off. He recommended that the significant tree should be reduced within 12-18 months.”

Ms Hayes said she has had the subject tree removed since the incident.

Crews at the scene after the incident. Picture: Lydia Kellner

Mr Kirby said that during the course of the inquest, the court would hear from two arborists – Mr Fleming who had examined the tree a year prior to the incident, and another called to the scene the morning after the crash who also provided reports for SA Police.

He said work had been done in the area of the tree in the years prior by SA Power Networks and SA Water – work that could have impacted the tree’s health.

“It’s my submission that appropriate investigations (about potential damage to the tree) ought to have been carried out to help this particular tree,” Mr Kirby said.

“If the damage and weaknesses could have been identified and the tree made safe, Mrs Ditter’s death may have been prevented.”

The inquest continues.

Originally published as Death of Adelaide Hills mother, teacher Judith Ditter could have been prevented, court hears