Three people have died after a multi-vehicle crash in Tasmania that is believed to have been caused by a solar panel falling from a caravan.
Four others were taken to hospital after the accident on the Midland Highway near Ross.
Police believe the crash occurred after a southbound vehicle lost control after trying to avoid hitting a solar panel that dislodged from a caravan, then colliding with a northbound vehicle
The ABC reports that the driver of the southbound vehicle, along with an adult female passenger and female child died at the scene.
A fourth occupant of the southbound vehicle, a male child, has been flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital in a serious condition.
Three occupants of the northbound vehicle have also been flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital in a stable condition.
The ABC reports that Acting Commander Kate Chambers described the crash as a “tragedy” for the three families involved.
“An incident like this is distressing for everyone involved and will have a life-long impact for so many people,” she said.
Police said the driver of the vehicle towing the caravan was unaware of the crash as it happened and had continued on.
“The driver and his family are understandably distraught and have been offered support,” Acting Commander Chambers said.
This opens up the question of maintenance for the caravans.
we can do the obvious when we are on the ground, or do we.
you check the roof the caravan uih need a ladder how many carry a ladder with that will give access to the roof. Oh and are healthy enough to climb a ladder.
I believe it should be part of a caravan service, where you get your brakes and wheel bearings checked, I would agree that a caravan service center should conduct a safety inspection for all attachments like solar panels, satellite dish mounts, hatch hinges and latches, especially if the owners can’t get up a ladder or do maintenance them self, as this would help the maturing generation and the unsure of what to do or look for owners…
Just a thought…
Cheers
While it’s sad to see and read about this tragic story, it still doesn’t negate from our responsibilities as owners of caravans and other recreational vehicles. I had a similar experience in recent weeks involving cracked bearing races on my caravan inspection, which could have been a disaster waiting to happen.
This just makes the inspection experience a whole lot more critical whilst in the workshop prior to leaving.
Or better still whilst living on the road full time as I did for 14 years.
Safety first , and not the $$$$$ it may cost in a workshop just to be sure.
A second pair of eyes independently of yours is now a better choice to be safe after reading this report
All caravans, flaots tailers should be inspected yearly. Also they should be pulled into the weight stations to be check for weight like trucks do..
Towing vehicles should also be checked yearly
simple.get someone to do it for you or pay for a service on the van.
It may not be that simple, who is qualified to install and inspect the solar panels on a van roof is there even an Australian or state Gov standard for the fixing requirements? how many bolts or rivets of what size at what spacing ? do they need to be fixed to a certain thickness materiial on the van etc etc ?
The Standard is AS/NZS3001 Includes all Electical, Solar and Gas.
AS/NZS 3001 is Electrical only, and has not a single mention of solar panels in it.
Any caravan service agent can check if the panels are correctly fitted & if need be make the correct adjustments
One way to fix this would be to install flexible solar panels, glued to the roof using sealant. Also drivers need to understand that by swerving to avoid an obstacle on or near the road surface is not to be taken lightly, applying the brakes & copping superficial damage is always a better outcome.
Very sad for all the families involved, tragic!
A solar panel came off our new Bought July 2020 only 1700km on it this morning on the highway. How many defective solar panel attachments are out there?? more deaths like this are going to happen, there needs to be a recall and all solar panels need checked ASAP
What is your caravan’s manufacturer?
In any scenario it is ultimately the drivers responsibility if something flys off a vehicle. You have a hard time arguing otherwise.
Sure you can pay people to fix service repair or add accessories to vehicles but there is no legal standard or criteria what must be done on a service or adding accessories.
It doesn’t sound nice but the person you paid can always say was fine when it left here
I wonder if the panel was just glued on as a lot of people seem to be doing. Mine are all screwed on to prevent them from coming loose. What a tragedy.
My thoughts are with all the families involved,a terribly sad accident,when all were travelling to make lasting memories. So sorry for the families & friends for their loss.
No excuse for not checking that everything is secure but swerving at high speed is never going to end well. Sometimes best to hold it straight. RIP
That is the reason I made 2 aluminium brackets that screw into the front of the van roof, then clips over the front of the solar panel then screwed into that. Can not move at all. Cost me $6.
There are a lot of solar panel mounts advertised on Ebay that are made of HDPE for cheapness rather than ABS as they should be. Trouble is the usual adhesive sealants don’t bond to HDPE so they are just an accident waiting to happen!