Friends of Joel Betts remember ‘beautiful human and proud amazing father’

Joel Betts is being remembered as a loving mate and devoted father after he became the eighth person to die on Queensland’s deadliest stretch of the Bruce Hwy since 2015.

Tributes are flowing for Joel Betts, the 32-year-old Chinchilla man who tragically died in a crash on the Bruce Highway at Kolonga north of Gin Gin on Sunday, April 7.

Friend Kasey White described Joel on social media as a “true angel and blessing on this earth”.

“With a heart of gold and always a helping hand ... you decided to grow your wings and we’re all missing you but kicking on to make you proud,” Kasey wrote in a Facebook post.

Resonant with Joel’s own words describing his son as “my world (and) my everything”, friend Kirsty Baines said Joel was a “beautiful human and proud amazing father”.

A loving and devoted father, Joel said "my son is the biggest achievement of my life".

“I will always remember those fun and funny ... times at work together,” Kirsty said.

“Taken from us all way too soon.”

Another former work colleague, Janice Huggett, also remembered Joel as a proud father.

“I gave you many a lift after our shifts at IGA, you always had the biggest smile, kind heart and were such a genuine young man,” Janice said.

“I always told you one day you would be an amazing dad and it came true; your boy adored you and so did I, rest easy young man.”

“To say you are my son is the biggest achievement of my life, you are my heart and soul and to say I’m proud to call you my son is an understatement,” Joel said in a September 2023 Facebook post.

Friends described Joel as a “true angel and blessing on this earth”..

Friend Tristan Litzow alluded to some struggles in Joel’s life, and remembered the close support he gave to those around him dealing with their own issues.

“I’m broken mate, lost for words,” Tristan said.

“You were an amazing man, you had your problems like we all do but I truly can’t believe you’re gone.

“You have always been there for me the same as I was to you.”

Friends alluded to some struggles in Joel’s life, and remembered the close support he gave to those around him dealing with their own issues.

Others remarked upon the poor road conditions in the area of the crash, with the highway through Kolonga being the deadliest stretch of the Bruce Highway in the state.

Family member Louise Keenan said police had told them Joel had died instantly after his car went off the road and collided with a tree, although the incident is still under investigation by the coroner.

A driver who was held up on the highway following the crash, Maurice Hetherington, offered condolences to Joel’s family and called on the state government to improve the condition of the road.

“I was held up in that terrible incident, for three quarters of an hour,” Maurice said.

“The potholes, some in water, were dangerous ... low profile tyres (and) little match box cars don’t stand much of a chance.

“Come on government, step up to the plate it’s Queensland’s major highway ... time to fix the infrastructure where the money comes from.”

Joel’s death was the eighth on the Bruce Highway at Kolonga since 2015, making it the deadliest stretch of the Bruce Highway throughout the state during that period.

The April 7, 2024 crash followed the death of a 51-year-old Mt Cotton woman in January 2024, after her Mitsubishi Triton drove off the Kolan River Bridge in Kolonga.

Speaking in March 2024, a Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said the department planned to implement intersection upgrades, wide centreline treatment, road widening, heavy vehicle rest area upgrades and roadside safety treatments between Barton Rd in the northern part of Kolonga south to Damascus Road.

According to Joel’s Facebook profile, he grew up in Gladstone and attended Gladstone State High School.

The crash forced first responders to shut the Bruce Highway for several hours.

Emergency crews were called to the scene of the crash, south of the Kalpowar Rd intersection, about 8.20am Sunday.

First responders arrived to find the car’s driver and sole occupant still inside the vehicle in a critical condition.

Police confirmed on Monday Joel had died at the scene as a result of injuries suffered in the crash.

The Bruce Highway was cut and traffic diverted for almost six hours as emergency crews worked to investigate and clear the scene.

It reopened shortly after 2pm.

Investigations are continuing.

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