Sunshine Coast truckie Matthew Stockman dies in Gladstone crash

A Sunshine Coast truckie engaged to marry the love of his life and with a baby on the way has tragically died in one of two recent fatal Bruce Hwy crashes near Gladstone.

Matthew Stockman is being mourned by his fiance Jenna Wall after dying in a truck crash near Gladstone. Picture: Facebook

A Meridan Plains truckie who was engaged to be married and expecting his first child has been mourned after his tragic death in a truck crash near Gladstone.

Matthew Stockman had been on his run from Rockhampton as a truck driver along the Bruce Hwy on December 14 when his vehicle left the road and crashed into a ditch at East End, south of Mt Larcom, near Gladstone.

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The Meridan Plains man suffered critical injuries from the crash and sadly died at the scene.

In a tragic twist, 21-year-old Red Hill Woman Felicity Morton had been travelling from her grandmother’s funeral the same day and died in a separate truck and vehicle crash shortly afterwards.

Matthew Stockman and Leah Wall. Picture: Facebook

In the days since his death, it has emerged the 39-year-old was expecting his first child in early 2023 and had proposed to his fiance earlier this year.

The love of his life Jenna Wall said Mr Stockman was the “missing puzzle piece” to her and her daughter Leah’s life.

“It was complete,” she said.

“He just fit so well with mine and Leah’s life, he was a grumpy old soul but all we ever wanted was a love story like most, getting married, babies.”

Ms Wall said Mr Stockman loved his job as a truckie and took pride in the things that he did and was loved among his friends, even though he was a bit shy.

Felicity Morton also lost her life in a crash near Gladstone, shortly after Mr Stockman. Picture: Facebook

Family friend Ronnie Hartshorne said the budding truckie was a “real gentle giant” who would be sorely missed.

“He took on Jenna and Leah and they dated for quite a long while and he asked her to marry him and they got engaged just this year,” Mr Hartshorne said.

“He was a family man and they were both just so happy, then she fell pregnant and it couldn’t of been better.

“Jenna found everything she’d been searching for ... and for this to happen is just so cruel.”

Jenna and Leah Wall with Matthew Stockman. Picture: Contributed

Mr Hartshorne had known Ms Wall for nearly 20 years and was her employer and said his friend was heartbroken, but was currently hosting her family from Tamworth in the days since the tragedy.

The loss of Ms Stockman feels like a horrible feeling of deja vu, where it’s understood Ms Wall had lost her first partner in 2013 to a car accident.

It’s understood Mr Stockman was on a three week rotation for his truck driving job, where he’d spend two weeks doing local runs before doing the haul to Rockhampton on the third week.

“He was good at what he did which is why the last company didn’t want him to leave,” Mr Hartshorne said.

“Matt changed his runs so he could be closer to Jenna and Leah ... he was a career truck driver.”

Mr Hartshorne has created a fundraiser to help Ms Wall and her children after the loss of Mr Stockman.

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You can donate here.

Mr Stockman’s funeral is expected to be held about 3pm on January 13, 2023 at Gregson and Weight in Buderim.