Motorbike and vehicle crash at Johnston Rd, Mossman kills rider

The Far North’s roads have claimed another life, with the death toll climbing after a fatal motorbike and vehicle crash north of Cairns.

A motorbike rider has died at Mossman. Photo: QPS.

The Far North’s roads have claimed another life, with the death toll climbing after a fatal motorbike and vehicle crash north of Cairns.

Now numbering 31, it is the region’s worst road toll in at least five years, according to Transport and Main Roads data.

The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating following a fatal motorbike crash which occurred at Mossman on Saturday, December 28.

Initial investigations indicate about 2.30pm, a motorbike was travelling along Johnston Rd when it struck a vehicle it was following.

The rider, a 35-year-old man, sustained critical injuries and was subsequently declared dead at the scene.

The other driver was not physically injured, and is assisting police with investigations.

It comes as Far North police launched Operation White Line to combat dangerous driver behaviours and increase awareness around motorbike safety over the summer.

At the launch of the operation, Senior Sergeant Craig Johnson told the Cairns Post 51 motorbike riders had died on Far North roads since 2015.

Senior Sergeant Craig Johnson from the Highway Patrol unit is part of Operation White Line to combat dangerous driver behaviours and increase awareness around motorbike safety over the summer. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We are also part of the motorbike community, so we understand what it’s like to navigate these roads,” Sergeant Johnson said.

“We know there are a lot of new people who have recently bought or started riding motorbikes, and we want to ensure no more lives are lost due to drink or drug driving, speeding, fatigue or distraction. With more people travelling around the region these school holidays, we want to ensure everyone enjoys the journey, and arrives at their destination safely.”

The news followed a high number of tragedies on Far Northern roads in the back-end of the year, which included three fatalities in the past week, bringing the region’s death toll to 31.

On Christmas Eve, 23-year-old Thomas West from Edmonton was killed in an early-morning crash at Mount Sheridan, after the car he was a passenger in collided into a pole on Foster Rd.

The same day, a 17-year-old girl died after she had become trapped in her sedan at Lockhart River, after it had veered off the road and rolled over.

And on Christmas morning, an off-duty police officer discovered the body of a Vanuatu national in his 20s, deceased on the side of Martyville Rd, Martyville, south of Innisfail, with another Vanuatu man charged over allegedly striking him with a vehicle.

Originally published as Motorbike and vehicle crash at Johnston Rd, Mossman kills rider