Crashes at Dysart, Coppabella leave one dead, one critical in hospital

A Mackay region man has died from his injuries following a horror smash-up between his 4WD and a truck and trailer in the Bowen Basin. LATEST

Police have confirmed a man has died in an early morning coal truck crash, becoming the 13th road fatality in 2023 after two Isaac region collisions early on Sunday morning. Picture: Heidi Petith

A Pioneer Valley man has died in a horror Father’s Day crash between a coal truck and a 4WD.

A Queensland Police Service statement said the 45-year-old man from Owens Creek, west of Mackay, died in Moranbah Hospital on Sunday just hours after a two vehicle crash at Dysart.

“Initial investigations indicate around 4.30am a coal truck towing a trailer and a 4WD were travelling along Saraji Rd,” the statement said.

“The truck’s trailer rolled and struck the 4WD, which was travelling in the opposite direction.

“The driver of the truck was unharmed.”

The statement said the Forensic Crash Unit were investigating the crash, with the death marking the thirteenth fatality on Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region roads since January 6, and the eighth fatality in eight weeks.

Also on Sunday, emergency crews were called to Coppabella at 1.31am.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said firefighters had to cut a 19-year-old Clermont man out of his vehicle after it collided with a tree.

“He was treated for head, face and neck injuries and was transported in a critical condition to Moranbah Hospital,” a Queensland Ambulance Service statement said.

The QPS spokeswoman said police officers were investigating whether alcohol contributed to the crash.