Bruce Highway crash: Friends honour hit and run victim Brendan Moreland

The sister of a road worker killed on the Bruce Highway in Mackay has urged friends to keep her brother‘s memory alive, thanking them for their messages and tributes.

The sister of a road worker killed in a suspected hit and run on a North Mackay bridge has expressed her shock and heartache over her brother Brendan Moreland’s tragic death.

The 35-year-old traffic controller was fatally struck as he was moving traffic cones during his shift on Ron Camm Bridge just after 4am on Tuesday.

Mackay Inspector Ian Haughton said bystanders performed first aid to the man but he died at the scene. He said officers at the scene saw a Toyota RAV4 with a damaged roof driving south of the bridge.

Roadworker Brendan Moreland was killed in a suspected hit and run on Ron Camm bridge in North Mackay on October 26, 2021. Picture: Facebook

The vehicle was later recovered from a Petrie St unit complex about 5.20am and a man believed to have been involved has been arrested.

Inspector Haughton said a man, 28, was taken into custody at a Mackay City home.

Mr Moreland’s sister Kelly Paul shared her heartache on Facebook for her brother’s death.

“It is hard for me to find the words to say that my brother Brendan Moreland was tragically killed today,” she wrote.

“At just 35 years old, his life was taken way too soon.

Ms Paul encouraged family and friends to use Mr Moreland’s Facebook page as a memorial site and would be updating it with details on funeral arrangements.

“Mum, Dad and I would like to express how moved we are by the amount of people who have reached out and expressed their condolences,” she wrote.

“We welcome all the stories and shared memories of how Brendan has impacted the lives of those around him.”

Roadworker Brendan Moreland was killed in a suspected hit and run on Ron Camm bridge in North Mackay on October 26, 2021. Picture: Facebook

Joeleen Perhouse posted on social media that her heart was aching after learning of her friend’s death.

“Another good person taken too soon,” she wrote.

“Today I felt the heartache and seen the tears from your very close friends beside me this morning.

“He was working on the job before he was taken in a blink of an eye.

“You were loved by all.”

Ms Perhouse described Mr Moreland as a “happy go lucky” man, who did everything for his friends helping them out whenever he could.

“You will be cherished forever and remembered by all …” she said.

“Morty you will always be remembered and cherished by your good mates beside me, I will make sure they are OK and looked after like you would.

“To all the family and friends, my condolences … he will always be around you guys. He will be your angel beside you and protecting both of yous (sic) guiding yous (sic) thru …”

‘He didn’t deserve to die so young and out on that job’. Picture: Facebook

Rhonda Marie Hughes who worked with Mr Moreland on the North Mackay and Mount Pleasant roadworks said he was “the best person”.

“We have always said that one night someone will get seriously hurt, cleaned up or end up dead,” she said.

“Well, it has happened. And it’s one of our own. He was a beautiful person and very good at his job.

“He didn’t deserve to die so young and out on that job.”