Emergency workers attended the scene of the crash last Sunday.By Callan Date
A HORROR three-car smash at a notorious Hallam intersection last Sunday has left six people injured and reignited calls for a proposed upgrade to start now.
The major collision occurred only six days after the State Government announced $1.7 million would be allocated to install traffic lights at what local traders have labelled a death trap.
Hampton Park resident Lynda Cartmill has led the campaign for change at the intersection after her husband, Colin Cartmill, died when his car and another vehicle collided at the same spot in February last year.
Ironically, Ms Cartmill was at the scene when the crash occurred at Hallam South Road and Empire Way, Hallam at about 5.10pm.
Police said a Toyota Camry being driven by a 20-year-old P-plater and a red Ford Mondeo collided at the intersection.
The Toyota then collided head-on with a Mitsubishi Lancer that was being driven by a 55-year-old woman from Cheltenham. She was taken to Royal Melbourne hospital with leg injuries.
An 11-year-old Lynbrook passenger and the driver of the Toyota were taken to Dandenong Hospital with various injuries.
The other two occupants, a 25 and a 18-year-old Hampton Park woman, were taken to The Alfred hospital with back and neck injuries.
A 24-year-old Hampton Park man driving the red Ford was also taken to Dandenong Hospital.
Ms Cartmill said it was the third accident she had witnessed at the dangerous intersection in the last month.
She said she was laying flowers for her late husband at the intersection on Father’s Day when she witnessed one of the accidents.
Calls continue for the intersection to be upgraded sooner than the currently scheduled starting date of mid-2007.
Ms Cartmill compared the intersection to the one at Donald in north-west Victoria where seven people died last week.
“If they can go and fix that one straight away, why can’t they do this one now,” she said.
VicRoads metro south east regional manager Steve Brown said a careful planning process had to be undertaken to successfully deliver road maintenance and improvements.
“At this stage the works program for 2006-07 is locked in. The intersection of Hallam Road-Enterprise Avenue is scheduled to begin mid next year and be finished by the end of the year,” Mr Brown said.
Cranbourne Police Senior Constable Glenn Dunn said police were continuing to investigate the collision.
