West Mackay man dies in crash, believed to be returning from mine site

New details have emerged in a horror crash that claimed the life of a driver returning from a mine site, just three weeks after a similar crash killed a 21 year old. LATEST

A 57-year-old West Mackay man died in the crash on the Peak Downs Highway near Epsom on April 7, 2024.

Fatigue may have been the cause of a horror crash that claimed the life of a West Mackay man on a busy highway linking the region to the Bowen Basin

Police said early investigations revealed the 57 year old had been returning to Mackay from the mine site.

Inspector Glen Cameron said they believed the West Mackay man had been returning home on the Peak Downs Highway after conducting “business” at a mining operation in the area when he left the road near Epsom about 3.30pm Sunday.

His black Ford Ranger ute continued down an embankment and collided with a tree five metres from the roadway.

The man was found outside of his car and an attending police officer performed CPR but was ultimately unable to resuscitate him.

He was declared deceased about 5.25pm.

Mackay emergency crews were called to a serious crash on the Peak Downs Highway near Epsom on April 7, 2024. Picture: Estelle Sanchez

This comes three weeks after 21-year-old Zahn Rothery, who had also been returning from a shift at the mines, died when his car went down an embankment and struck a tree.

Inspector Cameron implored drivers to “drive to road conditions”.

Inspector Glen Cameron speaks to media about the fatal crash that killed a 57-year-old West Mackay man. Photo: Fergus Gregg

“Sadly in the Mackay-Whitsunday district we’ve had six people lose their lives on our roads and a couple have been attributed to fatigue related circumstances,” Inspector Cameron said.

The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the circumstances of the crash and appealing to anyone who may have seen the vehicle, witnessed the incident, or have relevant dashcam/CCTV footage to come forward.

Mackay emergency crews were called to a serious crash on the Peak Downs Highway near Epsom on April 7, 2024. Picture: Estelle Sanchez

Nebo police Senior Constable Oliver Gordon on Sunday said the man had driven his black utility off the road down the embankment and had crashed into a tree.

The crash zone was found about five metres into the forest on the left side of the road.

Mackay emergency crews were called to a serious crash on the Peak Downs Highway near Epsom on April 7, 2024. Picture: Estelle Sanchez

Police are investigating the cause of the crash including if fatigue was a factor.

Traffic was backed up at the crash site just kilometres before the locality of Epsom after 5pm.

Traffic was still slowed by a check point past 7pm.

Mackay’s Forensic Crash Unit was on scene to assess the situation.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the man had been found unconscious outside his vehicle when paramedics arrived.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.