Young victim of horror Cape Cleveland crash identified

Police have turned to DNA testing to identify the young man tragically killed in a horror two-vehicle crash near Cape Cleveland.

A fatal two-vehicle crash on Goodsell Rd, Cungulla, near Meehan Rd, which happened about 1.30pm on April 10, 2023.

Police have confirmed the identity of the young man tragically killed in a horror two-vehicle crash near Cape Cleveland.

Forensic Crash Unit investigations are ongoing after 23-year-old Cungulla man tragically died at the scene of a two-vehicle traffic crash along Carty Rd near Goodsell Rd, about 40 minutes south of Townsville, on Monday afternoon.

Initial investigations indicate 23-year-old — who was driving a Toyota Camry — veered into the wrong lane and crashed head on with a Toyota 4WD before both cars burst into flames.

Police had to conduct DNA tests in order to confirm the identity of the young crash victim.

It is understood the occupants of the 4WD who managed to escape — an 81-year-old man and 60-year-old woman — were also local residents in the area on their way home.

The pair were flown to Townsville University Hospital in critical condition.

The aftermath of a crash on Goodsell Rd, Cungulla near Meehan Rd.

The elderly man was still in a serious but stable condition in hospital on Tuesday morning, while the woman was recovering and stable.

Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the circumstances of the traffic crash.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage is asked to contact police.

Cungulla resident Loretta Woodford said the horrific crash had shaken their tight-knit fishing town.

“It’s a small community so most people know each other here and we’re just wishing them a speedy recovery in hospital,” she said.

Both cars caught on fire and were completely destroyed.

The horrific crash — which is the second fatal accident to happen along Goodsell Rd in just over two years — has renewed calls for the road to be upgraded among some locals.

“It is a narrow, small country road so people have to drive to the conditions,” Mrs Woodford said.

“They built it around 1990 so the local residents could access their properties but now we’re getting a lot of new visitors coming through as we become a more popular destination.

“People do speed on that road which can be dangerous. You also have to be mindful of the wildlife in the area. Just this morning a pig came out in front of us.”

Burdekin MP Dale Last said he understood the design of the current road, including its path and width, are the result of negotiations that occurred several years ago with the former owner of the land surrounding the road.

“I think it’s fair to say that the agreement reached during those negotiations left us with a road that is far from ideal,” he said.

“I would encourage Townsville City Council to investigate options that may be available to make the road as safe as possible.

“It is almost impossible to prevent animals from straying onto roads like this one, but we must ensure that all possible steps are taken including regular maintenance of the road and verges.”

Emergency crews at the scene of a fatal two-vehicle crash on Goodsell Rd, Cungulla.

Senior Sergeant District Duty Officer Scott Warrick said the Toyota 4WD involved in the crash “had nowhere to go or react” due to how narrow the road was.

“As for the cause I can’t speculate, but our forensic crash unit will be looking at all aspects of this incident,” Senior Sergeant Warrick said.

Originally published as Young victim of horror Cape Cleveland crash identified