Police and VicRoads employees dismantled a memorial at the intersection of Ormond and Hallam roads in Lynbrook last Friday after police speculated that the presence of the tributes was a factor in another fatal crash at the intersection.
By Kelly Yates
EMOTIONS ran high and tempers flared as police removed flowers, photos and tributes they say may have contributed to another death in Casey.
Onlookers showed their distress as police and VicRoads employees took down the memorial at the intersection of Ormond and Hallam roads dedicated to four teenagers who died in a horror smash on 28 June.
Police speculated that the presence of the large amount of tributes at the Lynbrook intersection was a factor in last Friday’s fatal crash.
Mel I’Anson, 21, from Wantirna died when her car collided with a truck around 6.45am.
Police believe the woman had been driving west on Ormond Road and was attempting to turn right into Hallam Road when the collision occurred.
Paramedics worked on the woman at the scene but were unable to save her.
Senior Sergeant Jeffrey Smith from the Major Collision Investigation Unit said he believed the woman was distracted by the flowers.
According to Sen Sgt Smith, the truck driver received no injuries but was devastated and in shock.
The intersection has claimed the lives of five people in two weeks, all aged 21 and under.
The crash scene tributes, including a wreath, were dumped into the back of a ute as police cleared the scene.
But a couple of hours later friends returned to replace the flowers at the intersection.
A friend of the youths killed in June, Dean Kelly, said when he heard news about last week’s crash he was worried it was someone else he knew.
Another friend of the teenagers, Brody Varenhout, questioned police about the level of respect as they removed the tributes.
“This is just disrespect to the families and the community grieving,” he said.
“It’s wrong to rip them down like they are pieces of crap and chuck them on a ute. It’s heart-breaking. They are memories we have placed up there about our friends.”
According to police at the scene, all of the families of the teenagers killed were notified of their actions.
A VicRoads spokesperson said the roadside memorial at the intersection was moved to minimise the distraction to other drivers.
“VicRoads will work with the families in the coming weeks to establish a permanent roadside memorial appropriate to the site.”
Region 5 Division 2 Superintendent Shane Patton said police treated each situation on its merits in relation to the removal of the memorial.
“We understand that people need to grieve but when it overrides road safety we have to take action,” he said.
