Tributes for respected Dr Christopher Fawcett

Tributes are flowing for a popular retired doctor killed in a car accident on the Gold Coast. Read the memories for the skin care specialist.

COMMUNITY leaders have paid tribute to the Hinterland family who died in Friday night’s fiery crash.

Retired doctor Christopher Fawcett, 79, Susan Zimmer, 70 and her daughter Steffanie Zimmer, 35, died at the scene of the Bonogin Road crash, which occurred around 5pm on Friday night.

The medical community is mourning the loss of Dr Fawcett, who worked as a GP for many years and had specialised in skin cancer treatment.

The sole survivor of the crash, Uiatu “Joan” Taufua, the mother of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas, remains in the Gold Coast University Hospital.

Dr Chris Fawcett who died in a crash at Bonogin on the Gold Coast was a respected but retired skin cancer specialist who worked in Mermaid Beach and Surfers Paradise.

The 46-year-old has significant wounds including multiple fractures, internal injuries and bruised lungs.

Gold Coast Medical Association president Professor Philip Morris said the Dr Fawcett would be missed by colleagues.

“He was a well-respected member of the medical community who was approaching retiring and doing his last work with skin cancer treatment at Surfers Paradise and Mermaid Beach,” he said.

“We are very sad that he has lost his life in this way, particularly losing his partner and daughter too.

Photo at the scene of the triple fatal car crash at Bonogin Road where Dr Chris Fawcett, Steffanie Zimmer and daughter Susan Zimmer died. Picture: Richard Gosling

“The medical community grieves (Dr Fawcett’s) loss and we extend our warmest sympathy to his family who are reeling from his loss.”

Area councillor Glenn Tozer said the family was well-known in the Hinterland suburb and described it as a “horrible tragedy”.

“I hope that people will give the family a chance to grieve,” he said.

“It’s a horrible tragedy and, while sometimes our first reaction is to get angry, we should let the grieving process run its course during this difficult time.”

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