Tributes flow for Kabra truck crash victim Paul Colafella

An interstate truck driver and grandfather tragically killed in a two-truck crash on a major Queensland highway has been remembered as a “an old school guy” who loved his job.

Paul Colafella. Picture: Contributed

A Victorian truck driver and grandfather who was tragically killed in a two-truck crash on the Capricorn Highway south west of Rockhampton in Central Queensland has been remembered as a “an old school guy” who “loved trucks”.

Paul Colafella, 60, from Mooroolbark in Melbourne, Victoria, died in the crash at Kabra about 6.30am on November 5.

Police and emergency services responded to reports a green Kenworth truck and a white and blue Kenworth truck collided near the Kabra rail crossing.

Paul, the driver of and sole occupant of the green Kenworth truck, died at the scene.

Emergency services at the scene of a two-truck crash on the Capricorn Highway at Kabra.

The 66-year-old male driver and sole occupant of the other truck was not physically injured.

The Forensic Crash Unit is continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash.

Glenn Kilroy, who lives in Bayswater North in Melbourne, Victoria, said he knew Paul for about three years.

He said he met Paul at work at Kenworth DAF Bayswater production plant in 2021 through a mutual friend, Stuart Bruckner, who worked on his section of the production line.

The aftermath of the two-truck crash at Kabra on the Capricorn Highway south west of Rockhampton in Central Queensland.

Glenn, who is a plant specialist, said at the time Paul was working on the engine accessory fitment section.

He said Paul later moved to the DAF chassis assembly and then to the main chassis paint line, where he became the health and safety representative before he left to return to one of his true passions apart from vehicle restoration which he did in his spare time.

“He loved trucks and driving them,” he said.

“That’s why I and many others weren’t surprised that he said he’ll be resigning to return to driving trucks again.

A man died in a two-truck crash on the Capricorn Highway south west of Rockhampton in Central Queensland.

“He always told stories of his previous time on the roads through the 1980s and 1990s in the glory days.

“Paul, Stuart and I would sit together at lunchtime and Paul and Stuart would talk about their days on the roads.

“Stuart left at the end of 2022. So Paul and I would sit together and chat.”

He said when Paul left Kenworth earlier this year he was “sorely missed”.

The crash occurred at about 6.30am at the western end of a west-direction overtaking lane. Picture: Kerri-Anne Mesner

“Everyone liked him, he was a character,” he said.

“You knew where you stood with him.

“He was an old school guy, a bit of short bloke.

“If you were accepted by him, you knew you had a mate that would do anything for you.”

Paul Colafella. Picture: Contributed

He said “my heart sank” when he heard the news.

“I didn’t know what to say or think,” he said.

“I went and told the guys he worked with in the chassis paint line, they were devastated. Many still are today.

“I hadn’t seen him since he left Kenworth.

“I heard that this trip was his first interstate run since returning to driving trucks again.

“I’ll miss him.

“Just knowing he won’t be around makes me sad.

“I really enjoyed my chats with him.

“He made the shittest day bearable.”