Father and daughter die after car smashed into their motorbike on Bruce Highway

Tributes are flowing for a father and his teenage daughter who were killed when a car ploughed into their motorbike on a major highway.

A teenager has died in hospital following a horror motorcycle crash that also killed her father on Easter Monday.

Hannah Atherton, 19, was riding on the back of her dad, Alan Atherton’s, Harley Davidson as part of a group ride for his 60th birthday when they were struck by a car on the Bruce Highway in Queensland.

Mr Atherton died at the scene while Ms Atherton was flown to hospital in a critical condition.

She died on Wednesday, 10 days after the crash.

Hannah Atherton died 10 days after the crash. Picture: Facebook

Tributes have flowed online for Hannah Atherton. Picture: Supplied

Tributes have flowed online for the beloved teenager, who was remembered for her “cheeky laugh” and “bright smile”.

Friends and family confirmed Ms Atherton will donate her organs “to a soul just as beautiful as hers”.

Childhood friend Shakira Bickley paid tribute in a heartfelt post, describing how excited Ms Atherton had been to return home for her dad’s birthday after five years living away.

Ms Bickley said the loss of a best friend is something she never thought she would have to go through as she reflected on their final moments together.

Childhood friends Hannah Atherton (left) and Shakira Bickley (right). Picture: Supplied.

Hannah Atherton spent 10 days in hospital fighting for her life. Picture: Supplied.

Friend Mekenna Bowman said her heart was shattered over the tragic death.

“You were one, one in a million with a smile that could’ve lit up the whole world,” she wrote on Facebook.

“You will be missed dearly, you put up a hell of a fight, a fight no one would ever go through. You made me proud no matter what you did and with every decision you made.”

A car crashed into the motorbike. Picture: Janessa Ekert

Police are investigating whether a car did a U-turn in front of the motorbike.

Both a silver sedan and the motorbike had been travelling south at the time of the accident.

The 63-year-old female driver of the sedan was taken to Mackay Base Hospital with moderate injuries.

A friend on social media said Mr Atherton died doing what he loved.

“Sending all the fighting strength to your beautiful daughter,” Kirrilea Smyth wrote.

“You went out doing something you dearly loved, may you ride high in heaven.”

Alan Atherton was taking part in a birthday joy ride at the time of his crash. Picture: Facebook

The father and daughter had been riding near the highway’s intersection with McNeil Road at Koumala, just after Cherry Tree Creek.

Police said the impact of the motorbike hitting the sedan caused it to flip onto its side.

Mackay Forensic Crash investigators have called for any dashcam footage from the area or to speak with anyone who has information that could help.

Originally published as Father and daughter die after car smashed into their motorbike on Bruce Highway