Cairns crash: Calls for traffic improvements after Bunda Street smash critically injures motorcyclist

A Bunda St businessman has called for traffic improvements on the notorious Cairns thoroughfare following a serious crash that has left a motorcyclist fighting for life.

LATEST: A Bunda Street businessman has called for traffic improvements on the notorious Cairns thoroughfare following a serious crash that has left a motorcycle rider fighting for life.

On Tuesday afternoon a 35-year-old Gordonvale man riding a motorcycle collided with small white car driven by an 18-year-old woman from Holloways Beach.

Troy Birmingham, owner of Pacifico bar at the corner where the crash happened, said he had lost count of the number of incidents at the intersection of Bunda and Scott streets.

Owner of Pacifico bar Troy Birmingham said there's no easy solution to the traffic black spot outside his Bunda St business. Picture: Peter Carruthers

“It has always happened, and I think it will keep on happening because there’s a lot of cars going through there and there’s no lights,” he said.

“But what do you do?”

On Wednesday afternoon the rider remained in a critical but stable condition at Cairns Hospital.

Mr Birmingham said the Department of Transport and Main Roads had identified a pedestrian safety issue as students walked to Cairns Central after classes.

Improvement works are ongoing.

One solution to improve sight lines for drivers turning right into Bunda St was to clip vegetation dividing the two lanes.

“These hedges only get (trimmed) sporadically, sometimes they’re up to my shoulder,” Mr Birmingham said.

The crash scene on Bunda St just behind Cairns Central. PHOTO: Brendan Radke

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: Forensic crash investigators have called for witnesses as a motorcyclist remains in a critical condition after a horror crash in the Cairns CBD.

A Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service spokeswoman said the 34-year-old man was critical but stable on Wednesday morning.

An 18-year-old Holloways Beach woman remained in a stable condition with minor injuries.

Police have issued a statement appealing for witnesses to come forward.

“Shortly after 3pm a Yamaha motorcycle and a white Hyundai hatchback collided on Bunda St,” the statement read.

“The rider, a 35-year-old Gordonvale man sustained serious injuries and was transported to Cairns Hospital.

“The driver of the hatchback, an 18-year-old Holloways Beach woman was also transported to Cairns Hospital with minor injuries.

“Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has dashcam vision of this or the moments leading up to it to contact police immediately.”

One person has been seriously injured in a Cairns CBD crash. PHOTO: Brendan Radke

TUESDAY: Critical care paramedics have taken two people, one of whom is in a serious condition to Cairns Hospital, after a crash in the Cairns CBD on Tuesday.

A police spokesman said crews were called to the intersection of Bunda and Scott streets about 2.45pm after the reports of a collision between a motorbike and a vehicle.

The driver of the car was an 18-year-old female who is in a stable condition while the driver of the motorbike is a 34-year-old male.

Bunda Street was closed in both directions between Aplin and Spence streets earlier, however both lanes have now reopened.

Police warned motorists to avoid the area, which is expected to be impacted for some time with investigations still continuing.

Police are asking for anyone who may have seen the crash to come forward with any information or dash footage they may have.

Emergency crews have also responded to a second crash at Edmonton

A police spokeswoman said police were called to the Bruce Highway in Edmonton after there were reports of a two vehicle crash.

The highway was blocked for ten minutes while the cars were uplifted. Traffic is now clear in both directions.

Originally published as Cairns crash: Calls for traffic improvements after Bunda Street smash critically injures motorcyclist