WORKERS in Abbotts Road, Dandenong South, rocked by last Saturday week’s fatal level crossing crash, are calling on Greater Dandenong Council to fix a nearby black spot intersection.
The Journal has learnt of several recent serious crashes at the Abbotts and Gaines roads intersection.
Ian Atkinson, who works at Serano Timber and Hardware on the intersection’s corner, has come to the aid of several recent casualties, including a young driver who “wrapped her car around a pole”.
Alarmed by the frequency of crashes, Mr Atkinson regards the intersection as more of a danger than the level crossing. “Within three days, we had several crashes at the intersection, and quite a few this year. I’d say at least 30 in the past five years.”
Several workers have called for right-hand turning signals at the intersection. VicRoads Crash Stats data shows there have been eight casualty collisions at the intersection between the 2006-11 financial years. Two crashes caused serious injury.
Of the eight collisions, seven involved right-hand turns. Another nearby worker said the 80km/h road was cluttered with heavy vehicles in the burgeoning industrial estate.
“That intersection is notorious for accidents. Bring it down to 60 [km/h] and bring in the green arrows.”
Greater Dandenong Council’s engineer services director Bruce Rendell said the council was conducting an independent road safety audit of the intersection to identify potential safety improvements.
“When this information is available, the council will prioritise this site against other known ‘black spots’.”
The renewed calls come after the November 3 collision between a train and semi-trailer at the Abbotts Road level crossing that killed one person and left many injured. Since 2006, there have been two fatal collisions between vehicles and trains in Greater Dandenong — both at Abbotts Road.
New sleepers, rail and ballast have been laid at the crash site on the Cranbourne line, which was closed all last week. New overhead power cable has also been strung and the level crossing boom gates and lights replaced.
HEROES ALL
IAN Atkinson was one of the unsung heroes in the rescue of the train driver soon after last Saturday week’s fatal smash at the Abbotts Road level crossing in Dandenong South.
He was one of about 20 rescuers who ran to the aid of victims. SES and CFA crews combed the train wreckage several times in vain efforts to find the driver Trevor King, but it was Mr Atkinson who spotted the driver’s foot “twitching” underneath a mountain of potatoes and debris in the derailed front carriage.
“It took us a while to recognise the front carriage. There was no front left on it. The metal was all buckled.
“No one had found him. They went clean down one side [of the train] and went down the other, but we knew that he had to be close.”
Last Thursday, the driver’s condition was upgraded by The Alfred hospital from critical to a stable condition . He reportedly had extensive injuries, including broken ribs and serious head trauma.
When he had heard the “almighty boom” of the collision, Mr Atkinson said he just ran on instinct and adrenalin.
The humble rescuer has shunned approaches for at least one TV interview and press photographs.
“I’m not a hero or nothing. Your instinct just tells you to do it.”
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