Aaron Pitt named as second victim of Nambour Connection Rd, Woombye crash

A mechanic who was awarded apprentice of the year just a week ago has been remembered as “an absolute gentleman until he strips a bolt” after he was killed in a horror smash.

An award-winning apprentice and former Meridan State College student has been named as the second young victim of a tragic crash on the Sunshine Coast which killed two mechanics while fixing a bus.

Aaron Pitt, 25, was tragically killed alongside Lleyton Bartlett, 22, while they were repairing a broken-down bus on the side of Nambour Connection Rd.

A white BMW sedan allegedly struck the pair on the busy artery about 3.30pm on Thursday, April 21, 2022.

Bystanders and paramedics rushed to the scene but all help was in vain – they succumbed to their critical injuries at Sunshine Coast University Hospital.

Police confirmed the pair worked for bus company CDC South East Queensland (formerly Buslink).

The Currimundi man was awarded apprentice of the year just one week ago after joining the CDC team in January 2021 as a mature-aged apprentice.

He was described on CDC’s Facebook page as an “absolute gentleman until he strips a bolt”.

Childhood friend Mitchell Randell told the Sunshine Coast Daily it was a “real shock” hearing the news about his friend who he grew up with.

“He was a legend of a bloke, I grew up through my teenage years with him in parklands riding motorbikes and push bikes around,” he said.

“He always had a smile on his face and was just a top guy.

“He has a lot of friends on the Sunshine Coast.”

The Forensic Crash Unit and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland officers are probing the circumstances surrounding the crash.

CDC regional Australia division chief executive Tony Hopkins said the team was “deeply saddened”.

“These young employees were highly regarded members of the CDC team,” Mr Hopkins said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this terrible time.”

Aaron Pitt (left) and his childhood friend Mitchell Randell (right).

Mr Hopkins said the details of the incident were still unclear and the company would help authorities with their investigations.

An Office of Industrial Relations spokeswoman confirmed the unit was looking into the incident.

“We can confirm that Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is investigating along with Queensland Police Service so no further comment is possible at this stage,” she said.

Sunshine Coast Police central patrol group Inspector Jason Overland said a 43-year-old Warana woman alleged to have been driving the sedan that struck Mr Bartlett and his colleague was helping police with their inquiries.

Sunshine Coast Forensic Crash Unit Sergeant Peter Cowan requested anyone with dashcam footage that could identify a white BMW to come forward.