Lubeck car crash: Farmers speak out after warning authorities of intersection

Horsham emergency services were called to a two-car crash at the intersection of Horsham Lubeck Road and Murtoa Glenorchy Road at 2.49pm on Thursday.

A 56-year-old Meredith woman died at the scene after the vehicle caught fire, while a 57-year-old Lubeck man was hospitalised with non-life threatening injuries. 

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating if one of the drivers failed to give way.

In 2010, Lubeck farmers Ian Taylor, Nathan Gellatly, Matt Gready and Graeme Gellatly demanded the intersection be upgraded after three women were injured in a head-on collision when one car failed to give way.

At the time, the farmers believed a fatal crash would happen if the intersection was not fixed.

Mr Gellatly said the intersection was still a problem.

“I’m not sure, but I think if work had have been done in past to realign the intersection, this accident would have been prevented,” he said.

“Residents are very concerned about the corner and safety.

“The school bus travels along the road everyday, children use it everyday. It’s been a long time concern – it’s always been an issue.”

Mr Gellatly said rumble strips could improve the situation, but ultimately the intersection needed to be realigned so people on the Horsham Lubeck Road had to come to a complete stop. 

Mr Taylor said in the six years since the farmers voiced their concerns, there had been countless near-misses at the intersection.

He said nothing had been done to fix the problem.

“It’s disappointing someone has lost their life at a known bad intersection, that we’ve indicated is a major concern to residents,” he said. 

“Back in 2010, we were concerned a fatal incident would happen.

“Why do we have to go through trauma – residents and the fire brigade have to deal with the issues – when the intersection can be fixed?”