Call to fix intersection after fatal crash

GYMPIE Regional Council has renewed calls for the State Government to urgently fix a dangerous intersection on Tin Can Bay Rd, following Saturday’s fatal crash.

DEVASTATING: Tin Can Bay father and businessman Ian Window has been confirmed as the victim of a devastating collision at the Rainbow Beach turn-off on Saturday morning. Councillor Mark McDonald inspects the intersection where the collision occured.Photo Patrick Woods / Gympie Times. Picture: Patrick Woods

GYMPIE Regional Council has renewed calls for the State Government to urgently fix a dangerous intersection on Tin Can Bay Rd, following Saturday's fatal crash.

Tin Can Bay man Ian Window was riding his motorbike towards Gympie along the road, when a campervan pulled out of Rainbow Beach Rd, colliding with him.

As Division 1 councillor Mark McDonald lamented the tragedy that took the life of the well-respected businessman and father, he also voiced his frustration with the State Government for failing to improve safety at the intersection.

"After Ian was killed on Saturday morning, as the local councillor I got bombarded with people saying, 'Mark, you've got to fix the road'.

"I said, 'Well, I can't really fix the road, it's Main Roads. But we're trying'."

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He said a hill to the east of the intersection created a blind crest, while the bending road limited visibility to the west.

"Those cars (on Tin Can Bay Rd) are doing 100kmh," he said.

He said caravans, minivans and larger vehicles travelling from Tin Can Bay would have trouble getting up to speed in time to avoid accidents.

He suggested the speed limit around the intersection be reduced to 80kmh, and that the give way sign on Rainbow Beach Rd be changed to a stop sign.

Cr McDonald emphasised the campervan driver, a Belgian woman, was not to blame for Mr Window's death.

"I feel for the girl," he said.

"She would have had no clue that there could have been a bike coming over the hill if the sun's in her eyes and she's not familiar with the road."

Read tribute here: Third life lost in two weeks