One year since horror Gold Coast crashes killed seven on Nerang-Murwillumbah Road, Rifle Range Road

This week marks just over a year since seven young people were killed in two of the Gold Coast’s most horrific road crashes. Here’s how the tragic accidents happened.

THE latest Gold Coast motoring fatality – in which a Mudgeeraba man died in an accident at Robina – comes a year after two of the worst road crashes in the city’s history.

Pimpama 21-year-old Jamie Hunter, 17-year-old Marnie Zuk, and 21-year-old Bryton Thompson, both from Loganlea, were killed on August 17, 2020.

The car all three were travelling in slammed into another car on Rifle Range Road in Upper Coomera.

The scene where three people died in a horror crash in Upper Coomera. – Photo Supplied Facebook

James Hunter and his girlfriend Marnie Zuk. Picture Supplied

Less than a month before that four young adults – all aged between 20-22 – were killed when their car slammed into an oncoming ute on Nerang-Murwillumbah Road.

Courtney Smith, 20, Kirsten Van Gorp, 22, Lochlan Parker, 20, and Katrina McKeough, 21 - all university friends on holiday - were tragically killed on July 26, 2020.

Their car lost control in wet weather and swerved into the ute, which was being driven by champion boxer Will Parsons, 31, on his way home from work.

He escaped with just neck and hip injuries and was left in shock.

“I could see from where I was that it was bad,” he said in days following the crash.

“There was another guy there and I said to him ‘Has anyone checked the car?’ No one had checked the car.

“I went over and tried to see what I could do but they needed to be cut free.

“I’m just guessing I was lucky and it wasn’t my time yet.

Lochlan Parker, 20, Katrina McKeogh, 21, Courtney Smith, 20 and Kirsten Van Gorp, 22, who lost their lives.

“It definitely wasn’t their time either, but I suppose I was just really lucky.”

RACQ spokesperson Lauren Ritchie last week pleaded with drivers to stay safe.

“We’re pleading with drivers to not get complacent and to take road safety into their own hands,” she said. “We know quieter regional roads can be deadly.”

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