Ex-local cyclist killed in Eyre Highway road crash
Plus SA Police make arrests for drug smuggling at Mobilong, speeding at Tailem Bend, shoplifting in Murray Bridge and more.
A former Murray Bridge resident has died while participating in a cross-country cycling event on the Eyre Highway.
The 62-year-old man was hit by a passing road train between 5.30 and 6am last Thursday near Madura, Western Australia.
He died at the scene.
The cyclist was later identified as Chris “Caveman” Barker, a former Murray Bridge resident and a participant in the Indian Pacific Wheel Ride.
The WA Police Force has reportedly since laid charges against a 36-year-old South Australian man in connection with the death.
Three arrested for attempted drug smuggling at Mobilong Prison
Meanwhile, police have arrested a woman and reported two more for drug offences at Mobilong Prison, just outside Murray Bridge.
Corrections officers alerted police just after 10am on Sunday that they suspected a woman was trying to bring illicit drugs into the prison.
Police allegedly found capsules and pills in the possession of the 29-year-old Huntfield Heights woman; they arrested her for that and for driving while disqualified.
Later that day, police returned to the prison after illicit drugs and a glass pipe were reportedly found in a vehicle.
Police arrested two women who were in the vehicle, a 30-year-old from Flagstaff Hill and a 47-year-old from Aldinga Beach, and reported them for possession.
All three women will face court in Murray Bridge.
Driver charged with speeding at Tailem Bend
SA Police have charged a Victorian woman for allegedly speeding at Tailem Bend on Friday night.
They stopped the Ford Focus on the Princes Highway around 10pm.
Checks allegedly revealed that the 21-year-old driver had been disqualified from driving, and that her car was unregistered and uninsured.
She will face court in Murray Bridge.
Speed cameras deployed in the Murraylands
Police will again have speed cameras set up in two locations at Tailem Bend this week.
Cameras will be operating on the Dukes Highway and Princes Highway.
Penalties for speeding start at $180 and two demerit points.
Murray Bridge man arrested for supermarket thefts
Police have arrested a 41-year-old Murray Bridge man for a series of thefts from a local supermarket.
Officers visited the man’s home last Wednesday after an investigation into four thefts over the course of a week, during which hundreds of dollars worth of stock was stolen.
They charged him with four counts of theft, plus unlawful possession, but granted him bail ahead of a Murray Bridge Magistrates Court appearance on May 27.
Join your local Neighbourhood Watch
Neighbourhood Watch volunteers have reached out to the Murray Bridge community at a local hardware store’s family night, offering crime prevention advice and giving away numberplate security screws.
About 500 people attended the Easter evening at Bunnings.
Police encourage anyone with an hour or two to spare each month, and an interest in helping the community, to consider becoming a Neighbourhood Watch volunteer.
- More information: Contact your local police station or visit www.police.sa.gov.au/neighbourhoodwatch.
Stay safe on the roads these holidays
Finally, police have urged road trippers to plan ahead to stay safe over Easter and the coming school holidays.
Before setting off, especially if travelling long distances, SA Police recommend that you:
- Make sure your vehicle is in good working order
- Check the tyres for adequate tread depth
- Confirm that headlights, tail lights and indicators are all working
- Make sure you have a spare tyre, jack, jumper cables and a first aid kit
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