Fred Henderson: Tributes flow for much-loved man tragically killed in Mount Tarampa crash

A community is in mourning following a horror truck and car crash northwest of Ipswich that killed a man they considered family, the day after his birthday.

Tributes are flowing for a “loveable”, “sweet and funny” man whose life was tragically cut short the day after his 65th birthday, when a truck collided with his car at Mount Tarampa early Wednesday morning.

Police, firefighters, and paramedics were called out to the crash at the intersection of Coominya Connection and Watsons Roads about 5.20am, and arrived to find a person trapped in a vehicle.

A police spokeswoman said a sedan had been travelling along Watsons Road when it was struck by a truck on the passenger side, killing the driver of the car and injuring the passenger.

Morton Vale man Fred Henderson died at the scene.

Loved by many, Fred spent his last full day on earth surrounded by loved ones as they celebrated his birthday.

A dear friend of his for more than a decade, Sharin Coley, said he was being his generous self the morning he passed.

“Fred was doing what Fred done best helping others by taking this young fella to his workplace when tragedy struck,” Ms Coley said.

She said she and Fred’s best friend Linda Harrison were “broken” after hearing the tragic news Fred was gone.

“Even yesterday Linda’s mower had a malfunction and we both looked at each other and said ‘we can’t even call our Fred’,” she said.

“You gave so much of yourself to so many and with that a lot of joy to those who mattered. Along with your silly pranks to just make us smile.

“You helped anyone who needed it without question even if sometimes it took you a bit to get motivated. Those who cared and knew the real Fred would agree you were a top bloke.”

Fred Henderson tragically passed on Wednesday morning, aged 65, after a horror car and truck crash at Mount Tarampa. Picture: Supplied

Ms Coley said while her friend was a “tad rough around the edges”, his heart was “huge” and his friendship was real and offered without conditions.

“A lot of tears are being shed for you Fred right now and I’m sure that isn’t finished yet my friend,” she said.

She said she and her kids, all of whom adored Fred, were “crushed”.

Ms Coley’s daughter, Genna Coley, said her own three children had grown up with Fred and considered him to be “another pop”.

“We are absolutely devastated,” she said.

“He was a big part of our families. He didn’t like the spotlight but had the biggest heart and would do anything at the drop of a hat to help anyone in need.”

Fred’s neighbour Michelle Godfrey said she too was shattered to hear she would not see Fred, someone she also considered family, again.

“Fred was our amazing neighbour and we loved him dearly,” Ms Godfrey said.

“He was always happy to help anyone. We, my daughter and I, considered Fred as a family member. He was so loveable and sweet and funny.

“We are missing him terribly and hope he is peace.”

The Forensic Crash Unit is continuing to investigate the crash which tragically killed Fred and injured two others.

The passenger of Fred’s car, a young man, was flown to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital on Wednesday with significant head and leg injuries and in a critical condition.

Another man in his 40s was transported to Ipswich Hospital in a stable condition.

No one has been charged over the incident at this stage.