Emergency service’s desperate plea to Wide Bay road users

Wide Bay roads are the most deadly in the state after a horror first five months of the year as emergency services warn drivers what they are driving “can be a weapon”.

Fatalities on Wide Bay roads have devatsed families.

It has been a horrific start to 2023 across the Wide Bay, with eight road deaths that have left families shattered and communities rocked.

The carnage has not gone unnoticed, with some of the worst accidents sending shockwaves across the state and nation.

In just five months accidents, crashes and fatalities on Wide Bay roads have overtaken statistics from 2022, cementing local roads as some of the most deadly in the state.

The area holds the heartbreaking title of the highest fatality rate in the state.

In a desperate plea to the community, emergency services have called on road users to be more cautious when driving, as ministers from across Australia met in Perth to brainstorm Vision Zero – a national campaign aimed at bringing deaths on Australian roads down to zero by the year 2050.

For many the call comes too late after yet another fatal accident on Wide Bay roads on Wednesday, the eighth this year.

Life will never be the same for the family, loved ones, and friends of Brandon Roy, Levi Hannah, Chelsea Maddox, Jodie Paterson, Sharee Robertson, Kelsie Davies, Michael Chandler along with the dozens left injured and traumatised.

Arguably the most tragic accident on Wide Bay roads occurred less than three weeks ago at Maryborough.

The accident was allegedly caused by a 13-year-old driving a stolen car and claimed the lives of three women and left another woman in a critical condition.

The boy was charged with three counts of dangerous operation of motor vehicle causing death and one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

A teenager has been charged after allegedly driving a stolen car which was involved in a horror triple-fatal crash north of Brisbane. Picture: Sunrise

As youth crime continues to impact the state, many Wide Bay residents called for a tough response following the tragic accident.

Bundaberg has recorded two fatal accidents within the past three weeks including the death of a 93 year old man on Old Gin Gin Road.

While investigations are ongoing, acting Senior Sergeant Matthew Swan of the Bundaberg Police said “inattention and impatience” was a key contributor to the fatal crash.

Meanwhile in a separate incident a man has been charged with dangerous driving following the heartbreaking death of young Bundaberg man Braydon Roy.

Gympie has not been immune to the deadly accidents too, after Jodie Paterson Russell tragically died, leaving behind a seven year old daughter.

At a press conference on Friday May 19, police, ambulance and fire services came together to call on the community to be more mindful behind the wheel.

Reach Church members 17-year-old Kelsie Davies and church pastor Michale Chandler, 29 were killed in the crash, as well as 52-year-old Hervey Bay nurse Sheree Robertson (left), who was in a separate vehicle.

Queensland Ambulance Wide Bay inspector Nigel Jones said the accidents on Wide Bay roads have been “traumatising.”

“It’s something that paramedics train many years for, however it doesn’t make it any easier,” he said.

Mr Jones said at the conference the ambulance service is averaging three road traffic crashes a day, one of the highest rates in the state.

Sergeant Swan has implored the community to be conscious on the roads.

“When you hop behind the wheel of a car, you have a large responsibility,” he said.

“You are in what can be a weapon.”

The press conference was held at a vehicle compound where mangled cars had been taken after being destroyed in crashes.

Welcome Creek’s Chelsea Maddox, 19, was critically injured in the crash and later died in hospital.

Mr Swan has called on drivers, passengers and general road users to have patience when using roads, and while crediting the improvements made by state and federal governments acknowledged lengthy road works added to impatient driving.

“Remember fatigue management, make sure mobile phones are out of reach, there’s no point rushing to a destination if you simply won’t get there,” he said.

In an unfortunate coincidence as police addressed the public, emergency services raced to the scene of a Fraser Coast crash which left one person trapped in their vehicle in a serious condition.

A rural road campaign ran by the Courier Mail’s Wide Bay team highlighted some of the most deadly strips of regional roads, calling on politicians, stakeholders and locals to improve the situation.

The campaign was triggered by the shock death of 14 year old Levi Hanna, who was struck and killed on a Gympie road after stepping off his school bus.

The campaign succeeded in uniting the community to improve black spots and road safety.