Upper Yarra
5 Tuesday, 4 October, 2016
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5
Mail Covering the Upper Yarra Region of the Yarra Ranges Shire
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A Mail News Group publication
24-25
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Fatal few seconds By Jesse Graham THE CORONER will hand down a finding into the 2014 deaths of Launching Place residents Garry Theobold and Chloe Blackney early next year, following a two-day inquest last week. Coroner Paresa Spanos oversaw the inquest into the horrific crash that claimed the lives of Mr Theobold, 50, and Chloe, 11, on 15 February, 2014. The court convened for an inquest on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 September, and heard that at 8.50am on the day of the crash, Kinglake man Wayne Kortholt was driving his white Mack truck east on HealesvilleKinglake Road in Steels Creek, when he lost control on a bend. At the same time, Mr Theobold was driving his children, Lachlan and Hayley and their friend Chloe to Whittlesea’s Funfields for Hayley’s birthday and was travelling in the other direction. The truck, which carried no load and had a stone spreader attached, spun anti-clockwise and the rear of the truck and the stone spreader came into the opposite lane, hitting Mr Theobold’s silver Toyota Prado fourwheel-drive. Both Mr Theobold and Chloe were treated by paramedics, but died at the scene from multiple injuries sustained in the crash. Addressing Chloe’s parents, Kylie and Simon, in the courtroom Coroner Spanos said the inquest was not to look at how the pair died in the crash, but to look into the circumstances and conditions that led to the crash. “We are focusing on how the collision occurred, in particular the contribution or the relative contribution of speed, and in particular the road surface which appears to have some imperfections,” she said. “I would like to say that these proceedings require me ... to ascertain, if possible, what happened, but also to focus again, if possible, on any lessons that can be learned so as to ensure that a similar collision doesn’t occur in future, or at least to minimise the possibility of that. “It is an inquisitorial process. That means we’re looking into something and hopefully we’ll have some answers for you by the end of the inquest, or at least by the time I come
to a finding.” Major Collision Investigation Unit (MCIU) investigating officers, recontruction experts and VicRoads Sideways-force Coefficient Routine (SCRIM) experts, as well as VicRoads’ North Eastern Director at the time of the crash appeared as witnesses to discuss the condition of the road and the crash. Major Collision Investigation Unit (MCIU) Detective Sergeant Dr Janelle Mehegan said numerous factors, including Mr Kortholt’s driving speed, the wet road, the un-laden truck and “split friction” on the road - where friction on the road differs greatly between the left and right wheel paths - all contributed to the truck losing control on the bend. It is estimated that the truck was travelling at about 53km/h around the bend, eight kilometres per hour faster than the 45km/h speed advised by signage. “I believe if the truck was travelling under the advisory (speed recommendation), it wouldn’t have mattered that the split friction was so significant in some places,” Det Sgt Dr Mehegan said. “I can’t say it wouldn’t have happened, but it would certainly be much less likely.” Former VicRoads Regional Manager Bryan Sherritt said the road was identified as being in “poor condition” after a fatality in 2012, about one kilometre from the 2014 crash site, and required resurfacing treatment. Though the road was not prioritised for resurfacing, extra warning signage was erected after the 2012 crash. VicRoads’ barrister Roslyn Kaye said at the end of the inquest that, though the road was in need of repair at the time of the crash, the interim measures, the speed limit and the advisory speed limit on the road were “appropriate”. Ms Kaye said it was VicRoads’ view that “driver speed could be seen as the operative cause” of the crash. The court heard police did not bring criminal charges against Mr Kortholt for the crash, because it was believed there would not be enough evidence to bring a conviction. Judge Spanos said she would make a finding on the matter in early 2017.
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Picture: ROB CAREW
Chimera of cake WESBURN cake decorator, Cara Schneider won the overall first prize after competing against tough competition at the Royal Melbourne Show. Two years ago, Ms Schneider learned the tricks of the trade using online websites when she became pregnant and could no longer run her signwriting business. Since then, chocolate ganache and modelling chocolate have become regular ingredients in her kitchen. This year’s entry is based on the Chimera, and is the second year she has competed at the Royal Melbourne Show. Ms Schneider said it is amazing to win the competition, given her experience in the cake decorating industry. Read Picture: ROB CAREW more on page 3. 159835
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