Family mourns loss of brothers

FAMILY and workmates are mourning the loss of two brothers who died in a horrific highway smash near Yalboroo on Sunday.

Mark and Fenton Wooley, of Mackay, died when the vehicle they were travelling in and another sedan collided in an early-morning crash.

FAMILY and workmates are mourning the loss of two brothers who died in a horrific highway smash near Yalboroo on Sunday.

Mark and Fenton Wooley, of Mackay, died when the vehicle they were travelling in and another sedan collided in an early-morning crash.

Mark Wooley, 30, worked at motor dealership North Jacklin on Gordon St.

Workmates were yesterday coming to terms with the tragedy and declined to comment on their loss.

A third man involved in the crash, who was airlifted to hospital by RACQ CQ-Rescue helicopter in a critical condition, was in a serious but stable condition at the Mackay Base Hospital late yesterday.

Both of the drivers remain in a stable condition at the Mackay Base Hospital.

Mackay District Traffic Branch Officer in Charge Senior Sergeant Richard Turner said the weekend's crash had brought the road toll to 16 which was already higher than the 2010 toll of 15.

"We have had 14 fatal accidents and 16 deaths so far this year and we still have a few more months to go," Sgt Turner said.

"Police will continue to have a high profile on the region's roads, but it is up to the individual to obey the road rules and do the right thing.

"The last two accidents have been double fatalities and are both tragic accidents."

Snr Sgt Turner said the fatal four - speeding, drinking, fatigue and seatbelts, were still the major cause of road fatalities.

"At the moment people do not have road safety on their priority list," Snr Sgt Turner said.

"They take it for granted when they jump in their car and drive away."

This year alone there have been more than 1000 traffic accidents on Mackay roads and 350 of these accidents have resulted in injuries. The death toll on Queensland roads is now up to 204 people.

Road fatalities on the rise:

•  14 road accidents have resulted in fatalities this year
•  16 people have died on Mackay district roads
•  More than 1000 road accidents have happened on Mackay district roads
•  350 of these road accidents have resulted in injuries

Originally published as Family mourns loss of brothers