Maryborough nurse Ray Wyeth was killed in a horror ambulance crash at Stanwell

Hospital workers have shared their grief at losing a loved nursing mate who had only recently become a grandfather and whose death in a horror ambulance crash was reflective of a life dedicated to helping others.

The death of a Maryborough nurse on duty has been described by his hospital colleagues as “ a turn of events that was both tragic and reflective of his character”.

In a statement released by the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service on Friday, Ray Wyeth was remembered after he “died on duty while extending his help and support to someone else at a time of need”.

The 65-year-old, who had only recently become a grandfather, died at the scene, along with the elderly patient he was caring for, when the stationary ambulance they were travelling in was hit while stopped at roadworks on the Capricornia Highway at Stanwell, west of Rockhampton.

Ray Wyeth, 65, was in the back of an ambulance hit by a truck while stopped at roadworks near Rockhampton. He died at the scene.

“It was with great sadness that we learned Ray Wyeth, one of our casual registered nurses on the Fraser Coast, was the victim of a fatal traffic crash at Stanwell on Monday,” the statement from the service read.

“Ray has been a much-loved and valued member of Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service since November 2008, taking on contract positions in intensive care and as a midwife in maternity.

“He is fondly remembered by his colleagues for his calm and reassuring nature, along with his wealth of knowledge, experience and skill.

“Many of Ray’s former patients have shared their memories of him on social media, which is a testament to the positive and lasting impact he has had on the lives of so many.

“We offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to Ray’s family and all who knew and loved him as they navigate through this difficult time. He will certainly be missed.”

As word spread through the Fraser Coast on Tuesday night, the nursing community, which Ray had long been a part of, was in mourning.

Jordon Bronius wrote on Facebook “my heart is ripped out right now and have been coming to terms with what doesn’t even feel real. Devastated.”

“For all those that knew Ray Wyeth or crossed paths somehow, he was one of the most genuinely great people you would ever meet,” he said

“Having a huge love of the outdoors and a massive sense for adventure, growing up he was simply the coolest guy we could all look up to as kids.

“Fraser Island was his playground and a special place for him, bringing so many of us along and making it 10x more awesome by showing us how it’s done. Coongul creek was a favourite spot and we would often reminisce and talk about going again when we could.

Two people were killed in a tragic crash on the Capricorn Highway west of Rockhampton on Monday, October 11, 2021.

“Playing a father figure in my life and close to our family he was always someone approachable as I grew up throughout the years, throughout the good times and always present to help in the tough times.

“He never did anything by halves, always willing to give things a go, always at full steam and thinking outside the square.

“So much time spent out at the farm (a wonderland growing up to get up to mischief) which always felt like home, there was never a time a project wasn’t happening where I would think ‘what’s he up to this time?’ but he always had a grand vision, building a beautiful home like no other to flow in with the bushland surrounds, making his mark on every element to create something amazing.

“His adventurous spirit took him places many would put on the too difficult list more recently with his nursing career, particularly doing remote work in some of the most isolated indigenous communities.

“He’s been one of the most valued midwives in the local area that not many wouldn’t have known of in that field, bringing new life into the world and supporting people in tough times.

“Ray has been someone that has continued to bring fun and companionship into my and my families lives and to so many others.

“ His love for Jennie Wyeth and Tim Wyeth was unwavering, recently becoming a grandfather he was keener than ever to wind down and have time with the family and pursue his own projects adventures after being so dedicated to his career for so long. Something that in our own time we will have to accept. Just not right now.

“We’ve all lost one of the absolute best that will forever be in our hearts, I hope to see him again one day.”

Catherine Siviour paid tribute to her much-loved nursing colleague on social media.

Ray will no doubt be missed by nursing staff at Maryborough Hospital and Hervey Bay Hospital, particularly ICY and maternity staff,” she wrote.

“Ray loved delivering babies, nothing was ever too much trouble for him, he just did what needed to be done wherever he worked.”

Ms Siviour said Ray would also be missed by the Scouting fraternity on the Fraser Coast.

While it was unclear why Ray, who is from Maryborough, was working in Central Queensland, Ms Siviour said he had enjoyed travelling Australia and working in many different roles.

“Ray was a beautiful, kind-hearted, caring, happy, easygoing person – nothing was ever too much trouble for him,” Ms Siviour said.

“Ray was very much a professional and very committed to his work ethic.”

Police have seized the vehicles involved to conduct mechanical checks to determine what caused the crash.

The 41-year-old truck driver survived the crash and taken to Rockhampton Hospital.