Tributes flow for Mick Willet following fatal Kybong truck crash

Heartbroken friends of a Gympie man who died in an accident on the Old Bruce Hwy have spoken about the kind, forthright and ‘gentle giant’ who drove trucks for a living but always had his nose in a book.

Friends of Gympie truck driver Mick Willett have paid tribute to the 50-year-old following his tragic death in a horror truck crash at Kybong on Tuesday March 28, 2023.

Gympie truck driver “Mighty” Mick Willett is being remembered by heartbroken friends as a gentle giant and a “fair dinkum Aussie legend” following his tragic death in a truck crash early Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Willett was killed when his tip truck rolled onto its side into a ditch and hit a tree while travelling south along the Old Bruce Hwy at Kybong.

Paramedics and firefighters worked to free the 50-year-old former Laminex and Nolan Meats worker from the cabin but were unable to save him.

Police are calling for witnesses to the crash as part of their investigations.

Scott Trask, who met Mr Willett at Nolans 25 years ago, said his longtime friend was honest, hardworking and the “mould” for an Aussie bloke.

“He would say what he thought,” Mr Trask said.

“If it was on his mind … that’s what he would say.”

Mick Willett was killed when his truck rolled on its side and hit a tree while travelling along the Old Bruce Hwy at Kybong.

Mr Trask said his friend … “always had his nose in a book”.

“He read lots of books,” Mr Trask said.

Another mate who asked to stay anonymous said Mr Willett had grown up in in rural Victoria and was “one of the best blokes you could ever meet”.

‘He was a man’s man with a heart of gold,” he said.

He was a “massive lover” of the Rolling Stones as well, Christine Howard said.

In a tribute shared by Ms Howard on behalf of herself, Tony Nettlefold, Leanne Quinn, Jasmine Henderson, Mitchell Henderson and Holly Nettlefold, Mr Willett was “best known to be a man who was kind, caring and generous to all his friends”.

“When Mick was around, he was always able to put a smile on your face,” she said.

“In the 20 years I’ve known him I’ve never known him to lose his temper.

“He was certainly a gentle giant.

“I always felt safe in his company.”

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Ms Howard said he was “always quick with a compliment and loved using old-fashioned terms”.

“Mick was always the first to help out his friends with support of money, food, accommodation, whatever was needed.

“He was indeed a valuable friend when you were in need.

Mick Willett’s employer and friends have remembered the 50-year-old as a “gentle giant” with a love of The Rolling Stones and reading.

“As one of Mick’s many friends, I can say that on behalf of the group, he was greatly loved and will be surely missed.

“We all send our deepest condolences to Mick’s family, friends and loved ones.”

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Helen Bushell said he was a “a gentleman, hard fought New South Wales supporter, and a happy, true Aussie bloke”.

Roy Roddau, who had Mr Willett on the Roddau Brothers’ staff for more than a year, said he was “reliable, easy to get along with, and a good teammate”.

“He was good on the worksite,” Mr Roddau said.

For Tania Berrill, Mr Willett was “the mate you want when you’re going into battle”.

“Comes from good stock, confident, well spoken and loyal to the end,” she said.

“It saddens me writing of this, because of the memories popping into my head.

“Long, live mighty Mick Willett.”