'All I've got left of him is a dirty shirt that smells like his aftershave'

The grandfather kissed his wife goodbye before leaving for work on Friday. Now all she has left is a dirty shirt that smells like his aftershave.

A beloved grandfather and husband is being remembered as a “selfless, generous and caring” man after he was killed in a fiery truck crash in Queensland.

Daniel Stuart was driving a truck loaded with lithium batteries from Sydney to Rockhampton when he was involved in a crash at Maryborough, about 200 kilometres north of Brisbane.

Daniel’s wife Betty told 7News he’d kissed her goodbye when he left for work on Friday morning, but he never made it home.

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He was driving along the Bruce Highway when an SUV pulled into the path of an oncoming truck that was loaded with watermelons.

7News reports the impact of the first collision sent the truck careening into the path of Daniel’s truck, and the subsequent crash caused the lithium batteries to catch alight.

A ute and a caravan were also involved in the crash.

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Daniel Stuart with two of his grandkids. Picture: GoFundMe

Families left in identification limbo

7News reports 53-year-old Sidney Marstella, the driver of the SUV, was killed instantly, as were Daniel and the driver of the other truck.

The fierceness of the fire caused by the lithium batteries has tragically led to issues with the formal identification process of both truck drivers.

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The two drivers will likely need to be formally identified using DNA, which means it could take weeks before their bodies are returned to loved ones.

Daniel’s family has made an emotional plea to expedite the process so they can grieve the loss of their grandfather.

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The grandfather has been described as a "light that will never be filled". Picture: 7News

"He needs to be here"

The family, originally from New Zealand, told 7News it was culturally important for them to bring Daniel home to say goodbye.

“All I’ve got of him is his dirty shirt that I can smell his aftershave, and he’s not here,” Betty said.

“He needs to be here so our grandchildren can sit around his coffin.”

Friends and family have described Daniel as “selfless, generous and caring”, saying his loss was a “light that will never be filled”.

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Three people were killed in the fiery truck crash in Maryborough. Picture: 7News

"He will forever leave a hole in our hearts"

A GoFundMe has been started to help support Daniel’s family, who have lost their main source of income.

“I have started this page to support my Nani,” Daniel’s granddaughter writes.

“My Nani, who is currently battling breast cancer and caring for my great grandparents, has now been left without her main income provider, and also has the stress of needing to find a new rural property to rent within the next six weeks.

“Daniel’s loss has impacted our whanau (family) drastically, a light that will never be filled.

“He will forever leave a hole in our hearts.”

Originally published as 'All I've got left of him is a dirty shirt that smells like his aftershave'