Apple Tree Creek crash leaves Bruce Highway closed in both directions

Police are investigating whether fatigue contributed to a horrific crash in which a man, 70, travelling with his wife, was killed on the Bruce Hwy. PHOTOS, VIDEO

A 70-year-old man travelling with his wife has been killed in a horror head on collision on the Bruce Highway.

Queensland Ambulance Service were called to a section of the highway near the Maryborough Gin Gin Road at Apple Tree Creek, where two cars collided about 5.39am.

Paramedics initially treated four patients at the scene – one man in a critical condition, and three other people in stable conditions.

A man has died in a horrific crash on the Bruce Highway near the Maryborough Gin Gin Road at Apple Tree Creek.

Sadly, the man died at the scene.

Two other patients, one with leg injuries and chest pain and one with chest injuries, were transported in stable conditions to Bundaberg Hospital.

Acting Inspector Cameron Schneider said the 70-year-old man who died was travelling south with his 66-year-old wife.

Police said early indications was a grey Ford Everest travelling north crossed onto the incorrect side of the road and collided with the silver Nissan Navara in which the elderly couple were travelling.

A 52-year-old and 38-year-old were in the other vehicle, Acting Insp. Schneider said.

He said the accident was a tragedy with family members now facing the prospect of Christmas without a loved one.

Acting Insp Schneider said fatigue was being investigated as a possible cause of the crash, though investigations were in their early stage.

Insp. Schneider urged motorists to head the fatal five to get safely to their destination over the holidays.

“If you are driving fatigued, pull over.’’

There have now been more than 250 fatalities on Queensland roads from more than 240 crashes with fatal crash numbers up 9.4 per cent on the five-year average.

The Wide Bay region has had one of its most shocking years for fatalities, roughly double that of last year.

The scene of the fatal crash on the Bruce Highway north of Apple Tree Creek near Maryborough where a 70-year-old man died after a head on collision. Photo: Carlie Walker / Fraser Coast Chronicle

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services station officer Graham Smith described the scene as confronting for first responders.

‘There were two very badly damaged vehicles when we arrived, two persons trapped in one vehicle and people were seriously injured,’’ Mr Smith said.

“We employed our hydraulic rescue tools and we were able to extract those persons from the vehicle and they were taken to Bundaberg Base Hospital.’’

“The vehicle was extensively damaged,’’ the fire officer said after the head-on collision.

“It’s very confronting for fire crews when they first arrived given the serious nature of the accident and the injuries to the people. As you can imagine the scene is quite dramatic.’’

The scene of the fatal crash on the Bruce Highway north of Apple Tree Creek. Photo: Carlie Walker

“The road conditions at the time were very good. It appears that one of the fatal five may have been involved in this.’’

One of the vehicles being removed from the scene of a head on fatal crash on the Bruce Highway at Apple Tree Creek. Photo: Carlie Walier / Fraser Coast Chronicle.

He urged people to drive to the conditions and if they were tired to take a break from driving.

The Bruce Highway is blocked in both directions and Queensland Police have closed the road.

It is expected to be closed for several hours and motorists are advised to delay travel if possible.

Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the crash, or who may have dash-camera footage, to contact them.

Investigations are ongoing.