Neville Meikle: Forensic Crash Unit to not lay charges over Tanawha fatal

Forensic officers have finalised their investigation into the death of Brisbane speed skating legend Neville Meikle who died while changing a tyre on the Sunshine Coast.

No criminal changes will be laid against a teen driver after a Brisbane speed skating legend was killed while changing his ute tyre on a Sunshine Mwy off-ramp in Tanawha.

Neville Meikle, 59, had been with his car on the motorway off-ramp which runs underneath the Bruce Hwy when he was allegedly struck by a car driven by an 18-year-old woman on May 14, 2022.

Mr Meikle suffered critical chest injuries and was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital where he passed away.

The Sunshine Coast Forensic Crash Unit investigated the crash with assistance from the public and told the Sunshine Coast Daily their inquiries found no offences had been committed by the other vehicle involved.

Mr Meikle’s death has been referred to the coroner.

Police investigating the crash that killed Brisbane man Neville Meikle in Tanawha on May 14, 2022.

Tributes flowed for the “absolute character” in the weeks since his tragic passing with those close to the Brisbane man remembering him for his contribution the Australian Speed Skating sport.

A friend, Hadyn Butler, said he used to skate with “Nifty” at Skateway Mount Gravatt, a “huge social hub” in the late 70s and 80s.

Mr Butler said “Nifty” was a “larger than life, all Aussie, absolute character” who would be greatly missed by his mates, friends and family.

The scene of the fatal crash at Tanawha on May 14, 2022.

Another friend, Chris Crassweller, said he knew Mr Miekle during their “roller skating days” in the late 1970s.

“We would train a lot together – he was a natural speed skater and a joker who was well liked,” he said.

Mr Meikle’s death comes after two young mechanics, Lleyton Bartlett, 22 and Aaron Pitt, 25 died after they were allegedly struck by a car on the side of Nambour Connection Rd, Woombye, while they worked to repair a broken-down bus on April 21.