Memorial walk for Brendan Moreland after suspected hit and run death

Brendan Moreland’s biological and traffic control families joined members of the community to remember the fallen worker in a memorial walk along the Ron Camm Bridge.

It was a walk none of the nearly 100-strong crowd wanted to make, but it was one that needed to happen.

Brendan Moreland’s two families, along with members of the community, came together to honour the memory of the fallen traffic controller.

Colleague and friend Robyn Mapley said it was overwhelming to see the support for the memorial walk along the Ron Camm Bridge.

“We all turned out to say goodbye to our buddy and to pay our respects to him, but it shows how many people do love him,” she said.

Workmates of Brendan Moreland pay tribute to the popular traffic controller at the site where he died. Back: Mirikia Ahmat and Matthew WellingtonFront: Sharon Ahmat, Deliah Serruerier, Nezzy Falzon and Robyn 'Robbi' Mapley.

“His family was overwhelmed, they knew what he did for work but they didn’t realise how big his traffic control family was, because that’s what we are, we’re a big family.

Mr Moreland, 35, had been moving traffic cones at the northern end of the Ron Camm Bridge when he was struck by a car in a suspended hit and run incident about 4am on October 26. Tristan James Watson has been charged over the incident and matters are ongoing in court.

“It’ll take a long time to get over this because we’re a pretty tight-knit community when it comes to traffic control, no matter which company you work for,” Ms Mapley said.

Glenella mum Robyn 'Robbi' Mapley has honoured former workmate Brendan Moreland in a heartfelt tribute following his shock death on October 26.

The northbound lanes of the bridge were closed to traffic for the memorial walk, and the crowd signed the railing near where Brendan died.

Ms Mapley said drivers needed to pay more respect to traffic controllers on a job site.

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

“It takes maybe one minute to drive through a job site, out of respect for the workers people just need to slow down and take some care,” she said.

“We’re out there doing a job, we’re not out there for no reason, what happened to Brendan was completely avoidable.

“Brendan was packing up and ready to go home, it’s a damn shame what happened.”