Accident hotspot

Accident hotspot

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The Abernathy and Hopkinson intersection has claimed lives. Photograph – Aaron Van Rongen.

When a white commodore sped through the stop sign at the Abernathy and Hopkinson intersection in Byford narrowly avoiding colliding with Evan Lester’s vehicle on November 1 he asked the question how many people have to die on that corner?

Mr Lester, who lives 300 metres from the intersection, said in less than four months there have been a number of fatal crashes at the intersection.

“I was woken up at three in the morning when I heard a loud bang and I knew it was a crash,” he said.

“I ran outside and there were two guys, blood coming out of everywhere, I was holding him with one arm and trying to call the ambulance with the other.

“He died in my arms, I don’t know if the other man lived or died but he was in a coma for a month.”

Mr Lester said he had walked down to the intersection and saw 47 out of 50 cars speeding through Abernathy and Hopkinson.

“They hoon through and don’t stop at the stop sign,” he said.

“There needs to be traffic lights put in and there needs to be more police enforcement.”

Senior staff sergeant at Mundijong police station Daryl Brandis said he was aware the intersection was a hotspot for crashes.

“The traffic enforcement group is well aware of Abernathy and Hopkinson and they monitor it,” he said.

“I do not think speed is a contributing factor for the crashes but impatience from the drivers.

“Traffic control is looking into putting traffic lights at the intersection but the police have no input on where the traffic lights go.”

Shire president John Erren said the shire had implemented a number of modifications recently to address the intersection, including rumble strips and additional signage.