South Eastern Freeway crash victim*s family releases statement praising emergency workers* efforts (ABC)

ABC Tom Spiess was one of two people who died.

The family of a man killed in a road smash at the bottom of the South Eastern Freeway in Adelaide on Monday has released a statement praising the efforts of emergency services workers.

Jan Spiess expressed her sorrow at losing her husband of 37 years, Tom, and said his death had been heartbreaking for his two daughters and seven grandchildren, along with the rest of his family and friends.

A tanker owned by Transpacific crashed into three other vehicles at the intersection of the freeway, Portrush and Cross Roads, killing Mr Spiess and critically injuring 41-year-old Jacqui Byrne, who died in hospital the next day.

The 29-year-old truck driver and a 48-year-old woman who was in one of the cars remain in a critical condition in hospital.

In her statement released through South Australia Police, Ms Spiess said emergency services workers deserved a special mention for their kindness and consideration in their dealings with her family since the accident.

"We also wish to send our deepest condolences to all other victims and their families of this accident, as we are now seeing how far the death of a loved one spreads sadness through the community," she said.

After the accident, Transpacific took its national fleet of 2,800 waste management trucks off the road while it made a safety assessment.

That delayed some garbage collections but the company now said its services were resuming.

Police said they were examining the tanker involved in Monday's accident, a vehicle the transport union said was 30 years old.

The South Australian Road Transport Association has called for a 60 kilometre per hour limit on all trucks using the Crafers to Adelaide freeway descent.

The Government announced 60kph speed limits for trucks with five axles or more from the Crafers exit to the toll gate three years ago.

However, association executive director Steve Shearer said restrictions need to go further in light of Monday's tragic crash.

"We want to see a 60 kilometre an hour regime for all heavy vehicles 4.5 tonne and above instead of just the bigger trucks with five axles," Mr Shearer said.

He said if a 60kph limit applied, drivers of smaller like trucks like the Transpacific waste vehicle, would be safer.

"If it starts the descent at 60 in low gear in the left lane it can't get into trouble," Mr Shearer said.

"It cannot get into trouble to a point of no brakes."

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/24775316/south-eastern-freeway-crash-victims-family-releases-statement-praising-emergency-workers-efforts/