The elderly couple who died when a truck crashed into their bedroom are being remembered as pillars of their community, as their ‘totally devastated’ family breaks their silence.
Retired farming couple Jim Madden, 81, and his wife Carmel, 80, were killed when a truck traveling east on the Princess Highway turned onto the wrong side of the road and crashed into their property in Tower Hill about 7am on Friday , in the Victoria region, collided. .
Their ‘proud’ family released a heartbreaking statement saying the couple were loving, kind and always wanted to make a difference in the lives of others.
“Jim and Carmel dedicated their lives to their family and gave us all so many opportunities and were extremely proud of all of us,” the statement said.
“As difficult as it may be for everyone, they would want us and all their valued friends, the Tower Hill and Koroit communities, and everyone in the farming and racing industries, to continue working to make the world a better place to make.’
“Love to all, from the proud family of Jim and Carmel.”
Shocking photos from the scene showed the catastrophic damage to their home.
The 70-year-old male driver and sole occupant of the truck was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Jim Madden, 81 (pictured right) and his wife Carmel, 80 (pictured left) died when the truck crashed into their Tower Hill property after veering off the road at around 7am on Friday
Footage from the scene showed the truck crashing through a field, into a fence and along one side of the house before part of the roof was torn off.
It is understood the truck, believed to be traveling from Port Fairy to Warrnambool, was unloaded.
Detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit arrived on the scene earlier and emergency services had to wear protective clothing because the house was contaminated with asbestos.
Detective Sergeant Stephen Hill of Victoria Police said the investigation is ongoing.
“We are open to what is going on,” he told reporters at the scene on Friday.
“Whether it’s a mechanical failure with the truck, whether there’s a medical episode, whether it’s inattention, whether it’s phone use, it will all have to be looked at in the coming days.”
The devastated family of the elderly couple (pictured) released a heartbreaking statement saying the couple ‘wanted to make the world a better place’
Sergeant Hill described the section of road as ‘dead straight’ and said there would be no reason for vehicles to swerve unless they were overtaking.
Locals in the close-knit community are shattered after their deaths and describe the pair as hard-working people.
A neighbor Leonie Slanineka told the Herald Sun the couple would always lend a helping hand to others.
“They were a beautiful couple who gave so much to the community and south-west Victoria,” Ms Slaninka said.
Peter Archbold, owner of Mickey Bourke’s Koroit Hotel, told the newspaper he had known the couple for 40 years.
“They are community-oriented people. Everything that had to do with horses, shows, flowers, they loved it.’
Mr and Mrs Madden were also farmers, selling livestock at the Warrnambool saleyards before it closed last year.
Footage from the scene showed the truck having crashed through a field, into a fence and down one side of the house before the vehicle picked up part of the roof (pictured)
Mr. Madden was also a successful horse trainer and his family had been involved in farming for decades before the couple tended livestock on their property.
According to the 2021 census, there are approximately 83 people living in Tower Hill.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has CCTV footage, dashcam footage or any other information that could assist police, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.