Man in 60s killed in Bruce Highway motorbike crash at Mount Ossa

The 67-year-old Roma man was believed to be heading towards his son’s home when he collided with a truck on the Bruce Highway north of Mackay.

Emergency crews were called to a motorbike crash off the Bruce Highway, near Buthurra Station Rd at Mount Ossa.

A fatal motorbike crash on the Bruce Highway north of Mackay may have followed an attempt to overtake a truck, according to police.

A 67-year-old Roma man suffered significant head and chest injuries from the single vehicle crash involving a Harley Davidson bike that occurred about 2.10pm Monday near the Buthurra Station Rd turn off at Mount Ossa.

Paramedics worked to save the man’s life on the roadside before taking him to Mackay Base Hospital where he tragically succumbed to his injuries.

Acting Inspector Jeremy Novosel said the Roma man was travelling south and trying to overtake a truck when he lost traction and hit it.

“It seems it was overcast, raining, and the road was wet,” Acting Inspector Novosel said.

The rider was believed to be travelling to his son’s home in the Pioneer Valley area.

“This is the second fatality this year in the Mackay Whitsunday district and we really implore all road uses to travel safely and get to their destinations,” Acting Inspector Novosel said.

“We need to drive defensively particularly where it is a situation that roads are affected by rainfall.

“I think that all road users need to be aware that sometimes motorcycles aren’t the most obvious vehicles that will be on our roads.”

The BMA CQ Rescue chopper was also tasked to the scene of a serious crash involving a Harley Davidson motorbike on the Bruce Highway at Mount Ossa. Picture: BMA CQ Rescue

The BMA CQ Rescue chopper was also tasked to the scene but the man was driven to hospital via ambulance.

As a result of the crash the highway was closed in both directions for several hours.

The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the circumstances of the incident and officers are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has relevant dashcam footage to come forward.

This is the second fatal crash in the Mackay district for 2025.

Earlier this month hardworking father Nick Evangelista was killed in a horror fatal crash on Hay Point Rd at Alligator Creek by an alleged speeding driver in a black Holden ute.

Police claim the ute veered onto the wrong side of the road before hitting Mr Evangelista’s silver Kia.

There were 24 lives lost on Mackay district roads in 2024 from 18 crashes.

Originally published as Man in 60s killed in Bruce Highway motorbike crash at Mount Ossa