Bruce Highway blocked south of Townsville after truck crash traps two

The 51-year-old Victorian man has died in a devastating crash with a truck that shut down the Bruce Highway for hours near Townsville. LATEST.

The scene of a crash involving a truck and car along the Bruce Highway near Emmett Creek in Cromarty. Picture: Supplied

A driver has been killed in a devastating crash that shut down the Bruce Highway near Townsville for hours on Sunday.

Emergency services rushed to the scene near Emmett Creek in Cromarty, located south of Townsville, just after 1.45pm after a silver MG ZST station wagon, heading north, collided with a southbound Kenworth prime mover.

Tragically, the driver and sole occupant of the car — a 51-year-old man from Lilydale, Melbourne — died at the scene.

The truckie, a 55-year-old man, escaped physically unscathed.

The crash brought traffic to a grinding halt in both directions between Mount Surround and Nome, sparking hour long delays as motorists were diverted via Woodstock Giru Rd and the Flinders Highway.

The truck involved in the accident on the Bruce Highway, Cromarty, south of Townsville. Picture: Supplied

One shaken witness, who was driving behind the MG, said it suddenly veered across the centre line into the path of the oncoming truck.

She said her vehicle narrowly avoided being struck, calling it a “very close call”.

A photo of the crash scene shows the truck ploughed across the opposite lane and smashing through a roadside barrier.

Forensic Crash Unit officers are now piecing together the circumstances of the crash.

Police are urging anyone who saw the smash or captured dashcam footage to come forward.

A photograph from the scene of the accident on the Bruce Highway, Cromarty, south of Townsville. It shows skid marks from the truck as it crossed the centre-line, allegedly to avoid a collision with an oncoming vehicle. Picture: Supplied

It is the latest incident that has completely severed the infamously dangerous and flood-prone Bruce Highway,

Meanwhile, a young girl has been badly injured after falling from a tree at a popular public park in Townsville.

Queensland Ambulance Service confirmed that the primary school-aged child had fallen about 3 metres from the tree at Sherriff Park in Mundingburra at 12.13pm on Sunday.

The recreational area is part of Ross River Parkway.

A QAS spokeswoman said the girl was transported to Townsville University Hospital in a stable condition.

MORE TO COME.

Originally published as Bruce Highway blocked south of Townsville after truck crash traps two