Police confronted with awful scenes at fatal crash

Wide Bay Forensic Crash Unit officer-in-charge Sergeant Steve Webb has been to enough fatal crashes to last a lifetime.

FATAL CRASH: The horrific scene of a two-vehicle crash along the Bruce Hwy at Kolonga, north of Gin Gin. Picture: Jim Alouat

What we know

• Emergency services were called to a serious two-vehicle head-on collision south of Miriam Vale shortly after 8.30am.
• The crash, which involved a sedan and a ute, happened 5km south of the Kolan River on the Bruce Hwy.
• A forensic crash unit sergeant has confirmed one man involved has died.
• A 27-year-old man has been airlifted to Sunshine Coast Hospital suffering multiple fractures to his legs after he was trapped in his vehicle. 

I'M BLOODY fed up to the back teeth

Wide Bay Forensic Crash Unit officer-in-charge Sergeant Steve Webb has been to enough fatal crashes to last a lifetime.

With decades of experience with the police, Sgt Webb would rather have spent today with his family and friends.

Instead the veteran police officer was standing at the scene of yet another grim road fatality.

Another life lost needlessly.

As he and his team combed the scene to shed some light on the day's traumatic events he took a moment to speak to the media and did not pull any punches. 

"I've got better things to do with my time then to be standing here in the middle of the highway dealing with these things," he said.

"The police can only do so much.

"People need to do something to save themselves."

Picture: Gladstone Observer

At 8.30am today, a ute and Commodore sedan collided about 45km north of Gin Gin.

Sgt Webb said initial investigations showed the driver of the sedan, heading northbound, had veered into the path of the ute.

The driver of the sedan was killed instantly.

The driver of the ute has been taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital with severe leg injuries.

"I'm not sure why the northbound driver veered onto the wrong side of the road," Sgt Webb said.

Sgt Webb said the Bruce Hwy was closed for a long period of time with wreckage blocking both lanes.

"I know people have been complaining about the time it's taken," Sgt Webb said.

"But unfortunately we have a job to do."

QFES Bundaberg Inspector Ronald Higgins, who led two crews from Gin Gin and Bundaberg, said it was a tough scene to attend.

He said damage to both vehicles was significant as the vehicles had collided at high speeds.

"We are overawed at times responding to these type of things," he said.

Sgt Webb urged drivers to observe the Fatal Five: distraction and inattention, speeding, drink and drug driving, failure to wear a seatbelt and driving while fatigued.

"I will never say any road is dangerous," Sgt Webb said.

"I've driven this road many times over 30 years.

"It is safe as long as you stick to the rules."