Crash leads to lights plea

Two cars were involved in a collision on the corner of Bingera and Bourbong streets yesterday afternoon. Residents say there are accidents at the intersection on a regular basis.

Vanessa Marsh

BINGERA Street residents are pleading for traffic lights after a two-vehicle crash yesterday afternoon.

Three people were transported to Bundaberg Hospital with various injuries after a Suzuki Swift and a Toyota Hilux smashed into each other at the intersection of Bourbong and Bingera streets.

Resident Alan Jenner said his first thought when he heard the collision was “not again”.

“I was in the house and I heard a massive bang,” he said.

“I have lived here for nine years and have seen at least 20 accidents. Three people have been killed here in my time.”

Mr Jenner said traffic lights would put a stop to the collisions.

“It’s just so dangerous,” he said.

“Something needs to be done. It’s frustrating that there are so many accidents and they never fix it.”

The concerned Bingera Street resident said he had had some close calls at the intersection.

“You just have to have eyes in every part of your head,” he said.

Another Bingera Street resident, Jamie Holdsworth, echoed the sentiment.

“We see this quite often here,” he said.

“Just a few weeks ago there was a four-car pile up. I have seen about four accidents in six months.”

The truck driver said he hoped traffic lights would be considered for the intersection.

“Everyone thinks we need lights,” he said.

Bourbong Street Cellars acting manager Sean Callaghan said he had been unloading stock when he heard the crash.

“I heard a big bang and I was worried that someone had been hit again,” he said.

“It’s such a terrible sound to hear.”

Mr Callaghan said he hoped other drivers would use their common sense when using the busy intersection.

“I think people need to slow down a bit and keep their distance,” he said.

“We see these accidents all too often here.”

Mr Callaghan said the drivers were lucky to escape with minor injuries.

“The people in the Suzuki were lucky they had airbags,” he said.

“They would have been in trouble without them. The man driving the ute was pretty shaken up as well. It’s a dangerous corner.”