Brianna Day, 17, killed just weeks out from celebrating her Year 12 formal

The devastated family of a 17-year-old driver in a horror Bruce Highway crash spent days by her bedside before her tragic death. TRIBUTE

Brianna Day, known as Bree, was just weeks away from celebrating her high school formal when she tragically died in a crash on the Bruce Highway at Myrtlevale. Loved ones left a tribute at the crash site.

A teen driver described as a “beautiful girl” was just weeks away from celebrating her Year 12 school formal when her life was cut heartbreakingly short in a traffic crash on the Bruce Highway.

The 17-year-old Whitsunday girl had only had her provisional licence for two or three days when the tragedy struck on October 11, 2024 at Myrtlevale, sending waves of grief throughout the entire community.

Family and friends are heartbroken for Proserpine State High School Student Brianna Day, flown to Townsville following the crash where she tragically died in hospital six days later.

Her family was by her bedside every day.

Brianna Day, known as Bree, was just weeks away from celebrating her high school formal when she tragically died in a crash on the Bruce Highway at Myrtlevale.

As news of her tragic death spread throughout the Whitsundays loved ones created a tribute in her memory at the crash site.

A wooden cross with her name, date of her death and a horseshoe, bouquets of flowers – many with sunflowers, and a sign that read BJD #17, were among the items left.

Those who knew said she was a “beautiful girl”, who was “taken too soon” and will be “forever 17”.

“Will miss your smile and cheeky sense of humour,” one person said.

Brianna Day, known as Bree, was just weeks away from celebrating her high school formal when she tragically died in a crash on the Bruce Highway at Myrtlevale. Loved ones left a tribute at the crash site.

Others sent their thoughts and condolences to her family.

“My heart is aching for you and your family” and “we will remember her always”.

Known as Bree, the Adromache girl was the only one in the Holden Barina and had been in the process of performing a U-turn when the collision occurred with a northbound semi-trailer near the Gunna Go Holiday Park about 3.25pm.

BMA CQ Rescue was tasked to Proserpine after a horror crash on the Bruce Highway at Myrtlevale. The AW139 landed on the highway and has transported man in his 60s for further treatment at Mackay Base Hospital. Picture: BMA CQ Rescue

As a result of the crash, the Bruce Highway was closed for several hours.

She received critical injuries in the crash and was flown to Townsville University Hospital where she died on October 17.

Mackay district’s Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the tragedy, which brings the district’s road toll to 18 from 14 crashes for 2024.

This crash also comes barely one month after 22-year-old Mackay woman Wangige Kiumbura was killed when her BMW exploded into flames following a head-on crash on the Bruce Highway, also at Myrtlevale, just after 5pm on September 15.

The fifth year James Cook University medical student was recognised as “an exceptionally talented young singer, student and most of all friend to all those who knew her, particularly those in Townsville and Mackay”.

Fifth year James Cook University medical student Wangige Kiumbura was killed when her BMW exploded into flames following a head-on crash on the Bruce Highway at Myrtlevale, just after 5pm on September 15.

“As someone who committed herself to numerous extra-curricular pursuits over the years, perhaps Wangige’s greatest ability was to make everyone feel uniquely special when interacting with her; as if you were the only person in the room,” the university wrote.

“It is clear she was a vibrant and much-loved peer in the JCU medicine cohort, and she will be profoundly missed.”

She was buried in Townsville on October 2.

Ms Kiumbura had been at the wheel of the BMW when police allege a silver Rodeo dual cab ute allegedly crossed into the wrong lane and the two vehicles collided.

The 61-year-old Bowen man, who had been driving the ute, was also seriously injured in the crash which blocked the highway until late into the night.

Originally published as Brianna Day, 17, killed just weeks out from celebrating her Year 12 formal