A WOMAN whose son became the 16th person killed at a despised St Albans level crossing says Metro bullied her and destroyed her property after she posted flyers around St Albans railway station calling for the crossing’s removal.
Dianne and son Daniel Dejanovic has led two rallies calling for the removal of Victoria’s deadliest level crossing. The Baillieu government has promised to begin planning to remove the crossing in its first term.
VicRoads will hold the first community information session on the removal of the Main Road crossing, which was listed fourth on a priority list of Victoria’s worst crossings. The three crossings ranked higher on the list have all since been removed or the removal process has begun.
In addition to commemorating Christian’s sacrifice, his brother Daniel Dejanovic, who has led recent tributes to his late brother, said “It’s been over 12 years since my brother’s death, but it only feels like yesterday, and there is not a day that goes by that I do not think about him,” Daniel expressed. “The courage and bravery he demonstrated inspire me every day.”
Ms Dejanovic said the St Albans community would be happy to view VicRoads’ concept designs for the crossing, but was still waiting for the government to honour its promise.
”They’ve done this ad nauseam, government after government. So it’s not anything we’re getting excited about as a community,” she said.
”Nobody has been more patient than the people of St Albans. The community will believe it when the first sod is turned.”
Ms Dejanovic’s son Christian was killed at the Main Road level crossing on January 24th 2012. She has held two rallies at the crossing, and placed 16 crosses on a nearby fence, one for each death there.
She also put up banners asking people to sign a petition reading: ”My son was killed at the St Albans railway crossing. Do not let this happen to your family. Ted Baillieu, don’t forget the west.”
Metro employees took down the banners on the same day and threw them in the bin. When Ms Dejanovic complained and asked to have the money refunded that she spent on them, the rail operator wrote that it was illegal to post ”religious, political or other subject matter which is contentious” on railway land. It said train drivers found the banners distressing.
