Tragic deaths rock the region

Alex de Vos
Two tragic deaths in a fortnight have rocked the region.
Resident and Oberon High School teacher Ron Thompson, 61, died on Tuesday when his bicycle collided with a truck at Waurn Ponds about 8.30am.
Former resident of the region Allison Swayn died in Hungarian capital Budapest when she collided with a taxi on October 11.
Police cleared the truck driver over the collision with Mr Thompson on Anglesea Road.
The road borders a construction zone with heavy vehicles transporting materials for the fourth stage of Geelong’s bypass.
The truck driver was taken to Geelong Hospital where he was treated for shock.
Geelong Traffic Management Unit Senior Sergeant Shane Coles said an initial investigation revealed the truck driver was not responsible for the accident.
“It appears it was the rider’s error,” Snr Sgt Coles said.
“I don’t think a bike lane would have solved the issue – he was trying to turn right into Reservoir Road.”
Transport Workers Union spokesperson John Halloran urged cyclists to steer clear of main roads, especially during construction projects.
“I find it a bit unnerving driving along main roads, let alone riding along them,” Mr Halloran said.
Family and friends paid tribute to 29-year-old Ms Swayn in Facebook postings and death notices this week.
They described her as a “beautiful, vivacious, vibrant and inspirational” young lady who would be “terribly missed”
One of the tributes said she had been travelling overseas with partner Ryan for the past four years.
Ms Swayn’s funeral will be at St Paul’s Anglican Church, La Trobe Terrace, Geelong, at 2pm Friday.
An Australian foreign affairs spokesperson said the department had provided consular assistance to the family.