Horrific head on crash claims life of WA Transport operator

Few could have believed what they were actually looking at when 7NEWS aired the aftermath of the horrific head on crash that killed and injured two of our West Australian transport operators.

Mick Goddard, 49 and Hana Reid, 57 were crossing the causeway at Wirraminna on the Stuart Highway, about five hours north of Adelaide on the 6th March just after midday when a Ford ute collided with them head-on sparking a series of massive explosions.

The road collapsed from the force of the explosions.

Hana died in the inferno and incredibly, Mick made it out alive but critically injured.

The 23-year old Australian Capital Territory driver of the Ute was declared dead at the scene.

First to the scene were Kelly Spendlove and her daughters who spent two hours with Mick before help arrived.

“He had a head injury, his hands were burning still at the time, the front of his vest and shirt had gone out, he was basically still on fire,” Kelly told 7NEWS.

“He said he could not go anywhere, the car swerved in front of them and they were on a bridge.

“There were loads of explosions ... black smoke everywhere, there were flames. (It was) absolutely horrendous, it was horrible and hot. Just pure panic.”

Mick and Hana are the ‘M and H’ of MHK (WA) Pty Ltd, a bulk haulage transport business in Karnup, south of Perth.

Mick formed the business which centres around the haulage of raw materials with the removal and delivery of bulk sand, limestone, and road base and the thriving business services major companies such as Australian Civil Haulage, Kalari – Pneumatic Tankers, MGM Limestone, BM & RV Waters and Kleenheat Gas to name a few.

At the time of the accident Mick and Hana were transporting a load of gravel from Adelaide.

It took emergency crews two hours to reach the remote location before Mick was airlifted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital to undergo emergency surgery.

Major Crash Investigators flew to the scene from Adelaide to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and said the burning diesel spilled down the side of the causeway - and into pipes - melting the road from underneath.

SA Police Assistant Commissioner of State Operations, Ian Parrott, said there was “carnage everywhere”.

“The crash was absolutely horrific. Both vehicles were incinerated and the road damage is catastrophic,” he said.

“When you’ve got a fire of such intensity, associated with a large vehicle and also a secondary vehicle, it’s going to cause some damage.”

The highway was closed for several days due to the damage to the road surface.

WA Transport Magazine wishes Mick Goddard a speedy recovery and our condolences and support are with Mick and Mick and Hana’s family for the tragic loss of Hana Reid. T he Australian Trucking Association has called on the Australian Government to improve road safety and boost industry productivity by investing in safer roads, rest areas and bridges.

The ATA released their 2021-22 pre-budget submission and ATA Chair David Smith said upgrading the road network would have enormous benefits for safety and productivity.

“While we welcome the Australian Government’s existing $110 billion infrastructure pipeline, it should be strengthened with further investment in truck rest areas, freight routes, regional roads and bridge upgrades,” Mr Smith said.

“Studies show that the road is the cause of about 30 per cent of all crashes, and plays a significant role in how severe all road crashes are.

“The Government should ensure best-practice safety and productivity standards on national highways by adopting infrastructure standards for rest areas, safety and High Productivity Freight Vehicle (HPFV) access,” he said.

Mr Smith said that investment in safer and more accessible infrastructure for HPFVs would reduce the number of truck movements, reduce congestion, lower freight costs, and use trucks that are safer, quieter, and greener.

“We recommend the Government should support industry and remove barriers to reducing emissions from transport, lead national reform agendas for removing stamp duty and payroll tax, and not proceed with the mandatory super increase," Mr Smith said.

“There should also be investment in extending safetyfocused crash investigations for heavy vehicles.

To view the submission visit www.truck.net.au/advocacy/ submissions/2021-22-federal-budget