One dead, others seriously hurt in Bruce Hwy, Marlborough Rd crash
One person has been discharged and three others remain in hospital after a fatal crash on the Bruce Highway. LATEST.
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Three people remain hospitalised after an horrific crash on the Bruce Highway which tragically took the life of a 23-year-old man.
The Blenners Transport truck driver in his 50s remains in a serious condition.
The 36-year-old Capricornia Catchments ute driver and the female worker in her 20s are both in a stable condition.
A man in his 20s from the ute, who is also from Capricornia Catchments, has been discharged.
The 23-year-old man who died after the crash that shut the Bruce Highway for 13 hours north of Rockhampton on December 5 was also a Capricornia Catchments’ employee.
The Rockhampton-based rural, coastal and urban land management organisation confirmed four of its team members were involved in the smash.
The Koongal man died in hospital on December 7 - he had been a front passenger in a ute when it collided with a B-double truck at Marlborough.
“It is with profound sadness that Capricornia Catchments Inc. confirms that on (December 5) four valued members of our team were involved in a serious motor vehicle accident on the Bruce Highway at Marlborough,” chairwoman Michelle McRae said.
“The team was returning to Rockhampton after completing important environmental work at the Isaac River near Clarke Creek when the accident occurred.
“Tragically yesterday (Saturday) one of our team members lost their life as a result of injuries received in this heartbreaking incident.
“Three others (employees) have sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving medical care.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family, friends and loved ones of all those affected.”
Capricornia Catchments is a community support not-for-profit, non-government, organisation that fosters an holistic connection with nature, with offices located in Central Queensland. It covers 60,000 square kms, has about 1000 members and 1500 land managers.
Ms McRae said it was an incredibly difficult time for everyone at Capricornia Catchments.
“We are a close-knit family, and the loss of one of our own is deeply felt across the entire organisation.
“The outpouring of support, offers of assistance and well wishes has truly been humbling.
“We are committed to supporting the families of those involved and will also be providing counselling and assistance to our staff to help them navigate the emotional impact of this tragedy.”
Ms McRae said the Capricornia Catchments team worked tirelessly to protect and enhance the natural environment of Central Queensland.
“Our organisation’s motto of ‘Taking Care of People and Place’ has been the driving force behind our projects in the 20+ years we have been operating.
“Now it is time for us to take care of our People and our Place.”
Ms McRae said Capricornia Catchments would not be commenting on the circumstances of the crash as it was under police investigation.
According to police, the Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the circumstances of the incident, however initial investigations indicate the truck and ute crashed at the intersection of Bruce Highway and Marlborough Sarina Road on Thursday just before 1pm.
The 36-year-old ute driver was also trapped before being transported to Rockhampton Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Two other passengers of the ute were taken to Rockhampton Hospital with serious injuries.
The truck driver, a man in his 50s, was also taken to Rockhampton Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The crash closed the highway for 13 hours.
On the day, a Queensland Fire Department spokeswoman said the B-double collided with the ute and rolled onto its side.
The BMA CQ Rescue medical team cared for three people amid what they described as “some pretty harrowing conditions as a storm rolled through the region while they were on scene”.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the 23-year-old suffered head, chest and abdominal injuries.
A man in her 50s also suffered life-threatening leg and abdominal injuries.
A man in his 20s had arm, shoulder and leg injuries.
Another man in his 20s had abdominal injuries, and a man in his 30s had abdominal, chest and hip injuries.
A temporary shelter was set up so the patients could continue to receive the medical care they needed.
Firefighters rescued a passenger from a ute using cutting equipment and were helped by Ergon Energy which removed fuses from damaged power poles.
A diversion was in place via Perkins Rd to Glenprairie Bypass Rd.
The Bruce Highway was re-opened by 2am on December 6.
Investigations are continuing and witnesses or anyone with dashcam vision is urged to come forward.
As of Saturday night, no charges had been laid.
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