Motorbike rider seriously injured in highway crash at Yalboroo

Police have confirmed a Mackay region man died on the way to hospital after the motorbike he was riding and a hatchback collided at Yalboroo. DETAILS

A motorbike rider has been seriously injured in a crash with a car at Yalboroo on Saturday, September 16.

A witness to a horror fatal crash on the Bruce Highway between a motorbike and car has told how she heard “this massive bang” and saw “shrapnel going everywhere”.

Police have confirmed a 71-year-old Bakers Creek man died on the way to hospital after the motorbike he was riding and a blue Toyota Corolla collided about 11.45am at Yalboroo.

The Bruce Highway was partially closed for several hours as the forensic crash unit investigated the serious crash at the Cathu O’Connell River Rd turn off.

Initial investigations indicate the Corolla had been travelling south on the highway when it turned onto Cathu O’Connell River Road in front of a motorbike which was travelling in the opposite direction.

The driver and only occupant of the car, a 28-year-old New South Wales man, was not physically injured and is currently assisting police with investigations.

A motorbike rider has been seriously injured in a crash with a car at Yalboroo on Saturday, September 16.

Witnesses or anyone with relevant vision are urged to contact police.

Moranbah mum Bek McKinnon had been travelling back from Proserpine behind the vehicle involved in the crash.

She said the rider had been travelling north.

A motorbike rider has been seriously injured in a crash with a car at Yalboroo on Saturday, September 16.

According to Ms McKinnon, the hatchback had slowed drastically just before the turn off to Cathu O’Connell River Rd, forcing her vehicle’s safety features into action slowing her own vehicle down.

“All of a sudden I just heard this massive bang (and) out of the corner of my eye in the mirror on the side I saw shrapnel going everywhere,” Ms McKinnon.

It only took moments for police to be on scene as a large number of officers were stationed nearby along Cathu O’Connell River Rd performing checks on vehicles attending the annual three-day Mushroom Valley Festival.

A motorbike rider has been seriously injured in a crash with a car at Yalboroo on Saturday, September 16.

Paramedics were also on scene quickly.

“The motorbike was literally under the car,” Ms McKinnon said, adding the hatchback had “gone over the top of the motorbike”.

“Couldn’t believe that that happened right next to me.”

Ms McKinnon said she had initially thought her own vehicle had also been damaged in the incident, but it hadn’t been.

Police, paramedics and fire crews were on scene at the crash and the highway is partially closed.