Community rallies around family of Mount Morgan crash couple Peter and Dianne Herbener

Tragic new details about the moment a son found his beloved parents in a wreck which claimed his mother’s life and left his father seriously injured can be revealed amid an outpouring of community support for the family.

The son of a beloved couple, police allege were left critically injured by a hit-and-run driver, was first to find his parents at the crash scene.

These tragic details emerged as multiple fundraisers were set up to support Peter and Dianne Herbener’s family, with thousands of dollars raised in less than a day.

The Mount Morgan husband and wife were seriously injured in a horror head-on collision from which another driver allegedly fled the scene and has since been charged, on February 19 near Bouldercombe, half an hour from Rockhampton.

They both suffered life-threatening injuries and Dianne, 70, sadly passed away in the intensive care unit in Rockhampton Hospital on February 24.

On one Go Fund Me page, created by family friend Jaz Mackay who paid tribute on Facebook to her “dear Di”, it was explained the couple’s son William, “beating all emergency personnel to the scene”, tried to save his parents.

It’s understood the Herbeners were on their way to visit a great-grandchild and William became concerned when they did not arrive and went out to look for them. “Di tried her hardest to stay with us, but her injuries were too life threatening whilst in a coma and on a ventilator,” the page reads.

Peter and Dianne had five boys and one daughter together, along with grandchildren and great grandchildren.

“Di and Peter dedicated their life to helping other and are the most genuine and honest people you could ever meet.”

On a My Cause page, entitled Dad’s Long Road to Recovery, William wrote that about 7.20am the morning of the crash “our amazing parents left their home in Mt Morgan to go visit one of their great grandson’s. This was (allegedly) tragically taken from them by an (alleged) offender …”.

“Sadly, our mother fought a hard battle on life support for five days and peacefully passed away early hours Saturday morning leaving our father still fighting for his life in a critical condition and unaware of the loss of his wife, best friends and soulmate of 52 years,” the page read.

“The funds will not only be used to help assist in our dad’s very long road to recovery, including hospitalisation, medical bills and rehabilitation and helping lay our dearest mother to rest.

“Your donation small or great would be extremely appreciated to help dad’s recovery and assist with our generous mother’s funeral. From the bottom of our hearts, we are forever thankful for all the support during this traumatic experience.”

By Tuesday morning, a Queensland Health spokesperson had confirmed 73-year-old Mr Herbener’s condition had changed to “stable”.

Their six children, one daughter and five boys, have been by their side in hospital.

Family photos shared online in honour of Dianne and Peter Herbener.

 

Police will allege Clinton Benjamin Leisha, 36, was driving “aggressively” and had overtaken two vehicles travelling southbound on Razorback Road while three other vehicles were travelling north, on double lines.

He was charged with six offences, including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing grievous bodily harm and two counts of driver failing to remain at scene and provide assistance and showing callous disregard for injured persons and is in custody at Capricornia Correctional Centre until his next court date on April 3.

Dianne Herbener, president and Gwen Scott, treasurer of the Mount Morgan Historical Museum.

Dianne had been the president of the Mount Morgan Historical Museum Inc for the past six years.

“The staff and volunteers at Mount Morgan Historical Museum would like to express their sadness at the passing of our great friend and President of our association Dianne Jean Herbener,” a post on the organisation’s Facebook page read.

“Donations will be accepted at the museum to help the family through this time to aid in medical costs and any other needs.”

The crash has triggered an outpouring of grief and support in the Central Queensland community.

“They are two beautiful people who are just Aussie battlers and have raised some bloody great kids,” Aaron Stephens wrote on a fundraising post.

“I know they would do the same and this is what family does for each other.”