Young graduate’s life tragically cut short in ATV buggy crash at Toolakea, Townsville

A 25-year-old man, ready to embark on the next chapter of his life after earning his geology degree, tragically lost his life in a buggy crash that shook a quiet beachside town.

25-year-old Jacob Francis Ingles sadly passed away in a ATV buggy crash on Toolakea beach on August 16. Picture: Facebook/Jacob Francis Ingles

A 25-year-old man, ready to embark on the next chapter of his life after earning his geology degree, tragically lost his life in a buggy crash that shook a quiet beachside town.

Jacob Francis Ingles, from Malanda, was a passenger in an ATV buggy that rolled while driving on the northern end of the Toolakea beach in Townsville at around 2.15am last Friday.

Despite the efforts of emergency responders, Jacob sadly died at the scene.

Two other men, aged 23 and 53, who were also in the buggy, were rushed to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

In the wake of Mr Ingles’ sudden passing, social media has been flooded with heartfelt tributes from friends and family, with many expressing their disbelief over the tragedy.

Chloe Winterbottom, a close family friend, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Jacob’s family during this heartbreaking time, aiming to give him “the final goodbye he deserves.”

The beachside community of Toolakea was left shaken by a fatal ATV buggy crash on Friday. Picture: Natasha Emeck

“Jacob was a kind and intelligent young man who had so much love for everyone around him,” Ms Winterbottom said.

“He loved his NRL and AFL; he would spend the majority of his weekends supporting his favourite teams, the Cowboys and Collingwood, with his family and friends.

“Jacob was excited for his next chapter in life, as he had just graduated with a bachelor’s in Geology.

“With this devastating and unbelievably sad news, I ask for your support to the family in this extremely difficult time with a donation to create a memorable ceremony.”

Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the crash.

Breanna Wyburg, a Toolakea resident for the past four years, was among the first to see the aftermath of a fatal buggy rollover and said the tragedy had cast a long shadow over their close-knit community.

“We’re a tight-knit community out here, so when something like this happens, it has a ripple effect on us all,” she said.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink. Quote this reference number: QP2401383578.

Originally published as Young graduate’s life tragically cut short in ATV buggy crash at Toolakea, Townsville