Advertisement

Transpacific grounds trucks after SA crash

The company which owns the truck involved in a fatal crash in Adelaide has grounded its entire national fleet as it conducts an internal investigation.

The Transpacific truck smashed into three stationary cars on Monday afternoon at traffic lights at Glen Osmond and Cross roads at the start of the South Eastern Freeway.

The 56-year-old male driver of one of the cars died, while two female drivers, aged 41 and 49, and the 28-year-old male truck driver remain in a critical condition at Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Police on Tuesday said they were investigating whether brake failure had caused the crash at the "high risk location".

Transpacific chief executive Robert Boucher said the company had taken the decision to ground its fleet to ensure its vehicles were roadworthy.

"This is not a decision we have taken lightly, however we believe it is the right thing to do given the serious nature of Monday's accident," he said in a statement.

"The driver had undergone thorough safety training prior to being cleared to drive our truck."

Mr Boucher said Transpacific had fully co-operated with police, providing them with access to the company's trucks and maintenance records.

Police have said it appeared the driver of the sewage truck was travelling at considerable speed before the crash.

Meanwhile, a woman has died following a crash where two cars collided at Nuriootpa on Tuesday afternoon, taking the state's road toll to 56.

Police say the crash happened on the Sturt Highway and one of the drivers, a woman from Yorke Peninsula, died at the scene.

The other driver was airlifted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital and remains in a serious, but non-life threatening condition.