Tribute to Denis Lavercombe after train track crash at Maryborough

The shellshocked daughter of a Maryborough train track crash victim has remembered her “one of a kind” dad and told of how her life has been “shattered” by his tragic passing.

“I’m going to be lost without him”.

These were the words of a grieving Maryborough daughter still reeling from the shock loss of her father who was killed when his car went down an embankment and onto train tracks at Tooley Street this week.

Denis Lavercombe, 75, died at the scene of the crash on Tuesday morning.

His daughter, Catherine Lavercombe, told the Fraser Coast Chronicle on Friday she was “still processing” the loss which had devastated her family.

“He was an amazing man,” she said.

“He was loved by so many people, I couldn’t think of a better man.

“He was one of a kind.”

Mr Lavercombe was remembered as a man devoted to his family and a wonderful friend and neighbour to many.

“He was a great dad, the best dad anybody could have,” she said.

Mr Lavercombe had taken in her brother and sister, his stepchildren, when they were young and “loved them as his own,” she said.

Catherine was told the shocking news of her father’s death when police arrived at her home this week and advised her to sit down.

It was then she knew something terrible was coming.

“My life was just shattered,” she said.

It is still not known what caused the crash, but a medical episode might have played a part, Ms Lavercombe said.

Until she has more answers, she is focusing on remembering the dad she loved so much.

She said he was caring, funny and had “great sense of humour”.

“He would do anything for anyone.

“He was the best neighbour to everybody.

“He always helped out, he was always friendly.”

Ms Lavercombe said her father had now been reunited with his first wife, Heather, who died of breast cancer many years ago.

Denis Lavercombe died after his car crashed onto train tracks in Maryborough on Tuesday. Photo: Facebook.

The Chronicle understands the retiree’s car ploughed through a gate at the end of Tooley St and went over a steep embankment at the end at the intersection of Normanby St, near the Powerhouse Church.

Tributes are also flowing on social media.

Shirley Probyn posted on Facebook “goodness me Dennis you were a wonderful friend to my nephew Paul and many who knew you, a friendly chap, well respected citizen, you passed away no fault of your own, things happen, I knew you, and kind respectable person, we will miss you, rip you were a friend to many … Condolences to your family.”

Kylie Buss added “RIP Denis … You have been a loyal friend to my family.”

A man has died after his car crashed at Maryborough.

According to Queensland Ambulance Service crews responded to the crash scene just before 11.30am Tuesday.

Emergency Services remained at the scene throughout the afternoon with shocked onlookers gathering on footbridges over the old tracks.

Emergency services at the scene on Tooley Street, Maryborough.

In a statement released late Tuesday, Queensland Police Service confirmed preliminary investigations suggested Mr Lavercombe was travelling north along Tooley St in a white station wagon when he collided with the fence, went down the embankment and became “wedged” on the railway tracks.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation by the Forensic Crash Unit is continuing.

A man has died after his car went through a fence, down an embankment and onto railway tracks at Maryborough.