Fatal two-truck crash kills driver, closes Moranbah Access Road

The family of a father of three who ‘tragically’ died in a horror truck crash at Moranbah, west of Mackay, say the deep grief is indescribable.

Moranbah father James Rolph died in a truck crash on Sunday, August 27, 2023. Picture: Contributed

A relative of a Moranbah father of three who “tragically” died in a horror truck crash at Moranbah says the deep grief is indescribable.

James Rolph, 46, was driving his Quarrico prime mover along Moranbah Access Rd about 9.40am Sunday when it and a road train collided.

Mr Rolph died at the scene. The road train driver, a 56-year-old Southbrook man, was taken to Moranbah Hospital with serious injuries before being transported to Mackay Base Hospital.

A family member of Mr Rolph said learning about the crash was “devastating”.

“All our lives have changed forever,” they said.

“Words can’t describe the loss and deep grief we all feel, but know we will all be there for your three kids as we always have been ... I will forever miss you.”

Moranbah father James Rolph died in a truck crash on Sunday, August 27, 2023. Picture: Contributed

Mr Rolph’s Quarrico colleague, Julie Bennett, said the father would be “sorely missed”.

“James was a kind person, he would help anyone who asked,” Ms Bennett said.

“A great, loving father to his children. An exceptional workmate.

“A GoFundMe page will be set up for donations to support his children.”

The Queensland Police Service earlier stated the Forensic Crash Unit was investigating how the crash occurred and was appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the crash or had relevant dash cam or CCTV vision to come forward.

It stated initial investigations showed Mr Rolph’s truck had been heading southbound while the road train track was travelling northbound.

Charlie Murray, who works at nearby Goonyella Riverside mine, said he had witnessed many close calls on the Moranbah Access Rd.

“It’s truly frightening,” Mr Murray commented on Facebook.

17-year-old Aaron Burns died in a single vehicle crash near Moranbah in 2017. There were four other passengers in the car, an 11-year-old girl was in a critical condition. Picture: 7News

The speed limit along the road was reduced in 2014 after Isaac Regional Council cited safety concerns including traffic flow at the Moranbah Access Rd and Cunningham Way intersection, and the narrowness of the Grosvenor Creek Bridge.

There have been multiple deaths on Moranbah Access Rd including in 2017 when 17-year-old Aaron Burns died after a dual cab ute he was driving rolled several times.

In 2005, 30-year-old Anthony Joseph Condon died in a head-on two-car crash while driving home from work.

Sunday’s fatality marks the twelfth death on Mackay Isaac Whitsunday roads this year and the seventh since July 3.

It also comes just days after a rubbish truck and another truck collided at Mirani, west of Mackay.