Two charged after cyclist killed in hit-run at Lower Inman Valley near Victor Harbor
- by: BEN HYDE, ANDREW HOUGH, KATRINA STOKES
- From: The Advertiser
- December 28, 2013 10:45PM
KATHLEEN Heraghty had selflessly devoted her life to helping others, particularly new mothers facing the pressures associated with parenthood.
But the "wonderful and caring" nurse, 48, of Beulah Park, was killed in an alleged hit-run crash while on a training ride on the outskirts of Victor Harbor on Friday.
She was out for a ride with her husband and a friend, but riding at some distance ahead of them on the Fleurieu Peninsula, when she was struck from behind by a passing car.
The mother-of-three died at the scene on Inman Valley Rd, about five kilometres from Victor Harbor, despite frantic efforts of local residents and her doctor partner Brian Peat.
As revealed on Advertiser.com.au, Ms Heraghty was a respected Women's and Children's Hospital [WCH] midwife, a leading lactation consultant and a breastfeeding counsellor for more than 15 years.
Her grieving husband, a senior WCH obstetrician, led tributes to his wife of nearly two decades, who he said had dedicated her career to helping others.
Devastated friends and colleagues also paid tribute tonight to a "dedicated" and "amazing" woman who had worked tirelessly to help new mothers.
Dr Peat, who was being comforted by friends at the couple's eastern suburbs home, had come across the scene on a flat, straight stretch of the road between five and 10 minutes after the crash, which occurred as they were training for the Victor Harbor Triathlon.
While too distraught to speak at length, he described his wife as a wonderful woman.
"She was devoted to her family and a terrific woman," he told the
Sunday Mail. "She was struck down by a one-in-a-million [crash]. She touched everybody."
The driver of a dark-coloured 2002 Holden Commodore sedan is accused of fleeing the scene shortly after the accident at 10.45am.
Ms Heraghty, who has three teenage children aged 14, 16, and 18, emigrated from Scotland - where several relatives remain - to Sydney in 1993 before marrying the following year.
The couple moved to Adelaide about 12 years ago before they quickly settled into life and became leading members of the South Australian health profession.
In 2006 she wrote to
The Advertiser of her pride of state schools and urged the government to properly fund them.
Ms Heraghty, educated at Glasgow University, was appointed the Australian Breastfeeding Association [ABA] SA/NT branch president in January, combining it with her hospital work.
Shocked ABA volunteers, who learned of her death this morning, described her as a "wonderful caring" and "truly amazing" woman.
She educated and supported breastfeeding women locally and through a national helpline as well as supporting almost 1000 local volunteers and staff.
"Her dedication to breastfeeding women was unsurpassed," said ABA national president Rachel Fuller. "Her lovely warm voice touched many families.
"Whether it was through her work as a midwife or almost 20 years of volunteer work counselling breastfeeding families, she had a way that not only calmed people but encouraged them.
"Kathleen's death will be a huge loss. A truly amazing woman gone to soon. Our hearts go out to her family." She was instrumental in planning the ABA 50th birthday celebrations next year.
Women's and Children's Health Network executive director of Acute Services, Scott Williams, said staff were devastated at losing a "dedicated and valued" colleague and were being offered counselling.
"This is an inexplicable and terrible tragedy for Kathleen's family and friends and our hearts go out to her husband and children at this very sad time," he said.
Ms Heraghty, who loved cycling, was due to enter the Victor Harbor triathlon for a fourth time in March.
Race director Sid James, 55, who is a quadriplegic as a result of his own cycling accident 20 years ago, has been left shocked and vowed to ensure vehicles would not been near the 1600 competitors.
"Triathlons is a dangerous sport but under certain conditions, it is a safe sport," he said.
"...When there's cars on the road, cars are bigger than bikes."
Bicycle SA chief executive officer Christian Haag said the incident was a tragic reminder of cyclists' vulnerabilities and the need to share the road, adding that the upcoming Tour Down Under would lead to more cyclists on the road.
Major Crash investigators have charged a Queensland woman, 37, with causing death by dangerous driving and leaving the scene of an accident.
Another man, 47, from Collinswood, has also been charged with fleeing the scene.
She was refused bail and is due to appear in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court tomorrow. Her passenger will appear at court at a later date.
Mrs Heraghty's death takes the state's road toll to 97, compared with 91 at the same time last year.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/two-charged-after-cyclist-killed-in-hitrun-at-lower-inman-valley-near-victor-harbor/story-fni6uo1m-1226790599362
