Matthew Makinson death: Tributes flow for ‘Mako’ after Mountain Creek fatal crash

A beloved father and talented young horseman won’t see the birth of his second child after he tragically died in a Sunshine Motorway crash. Read his pregnant partner’s tribute:

The heartbroken partner of a popular horseman who died in a crash at Mountain Creek on the Sunshine Coast early on Friday said there were no words for the love she had for the talented rodeo rider.

Matthew Makinson, 31, of Booroobin, was found dead in the wreckage of his ute which crashed into trees off the Sunshine Motorway on-ramp at Mountain Creek early Friday morning, April 29, 2022.

Early investigations indicated his 2018 Mitsubishi Triton left the road east of Seriata Way about 1am.

A passing motorist spotted the ute in trees and emergency services were alerted about 7am but tragically Mr Makinson was pronounced dead at the scene.

His partner Charlotte Mumford said the popular horseman and talented rodeo rider was her “best friend” and “my hero”.

The pair ran their LCM Equine horse services business and shared a child together with Ms Mumford 20 weeks pregnant with their second child.

“There’s no words for the love that I had for that man,” Ms Mumford said.

“He was amazing.

“He was a hero. He’s our hero.”

The pair started their business about five years ago and Mr Makinson was a talented rider who competed at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in early-April.

“He was a horseman and a cowboy and a daddy and a lover and my best friend,” Ms Mumford said.

“Life is cruel.”

Ms Mumford said her partner was known by “Matty” and “Mako to his mates”.

Friends took to social media late Friday to pay tribute to their mate.

“RIP Mako, you and your smile will be missed,” wrote Tania Weier.

“RIP Mako, you were a bloody battler and a legend,” wrote Emily Howkins.

Jacqui Lee described Mr Makinson as a “shining light”.

Forensic Crash Unit officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash which impacted traffic on the Sunshine Motorway for several hours on Friday morning.