Golf buggy crashes ‘common’ on Hamilton Island

Weeks before a newlywed died in a horror golf buggy accident on Hamilton Island, another crash saw a man fighting for his life.

Tourists travelling to Hamilton Island have been advised to take care driving around in golf buggies.

It comes after a woman tragically died falling from the vehicle while on her honeymoon.

Marina Morgan and her new husband Robbie were on the holiday of a lifetime when their golf buggy overturned while doing a U-turn on Monday.

Mr Morgan, who was driving the vehicle, was uninjured but his new wife died at the scene.

Queensland Police Inspector Anthony Cowan said the death was a “tragic accident” and said there was “no indication of alcohol or dangerous driving”.

“It was just a tragic accident with a golf buggy,” Inspector Cowan said on Tuesday.

“There may have been some inexperience driving those type of vehicles – while turning it has rolled on its side and the woman has fallen out and sustained life-threatening injuries.

“It just appears inexperience in driving that type of vehicle, turned too quick and rolled on its side and unfortunately, it has ended up with this result.”

Just weeks prior, a man was flown to Townsville in a serious condition after suffering head injuries in a buggy crash on the idyllic island.

He fell from the moving vehicle, smashing his head against the bitumen.

It took more than eight hours to complete the rescue, with the RACQ CQ helicopter flying over 700km with a doctor and critical care paramedic on board.

Holiday-makers on Hamilton Island have been warned to take care while driving golf buggies.

Golf buggies are the main mode of transport around the popular island’s 740 hectares and even though they travel at relatively low speeds, an accident can still be life-threatening.

Queensland ambulance acting director (Mackay district) Graeme McIntyre said buggy crashes were a “common occurrence” on Hamilton Island.

“But I wouldn’t say it occurs frequently simply because there are a large amount of buggies on the island and inexperienced people using them,” he said.

“They’re just not a common vehicle used anywhere else.

“Take the advice of people who will hire the buggy out to you. They are a completely different type of vehicle to drive.”

In 2016 eight people, including a nine-month-old girl, were injured when two motorised buggies crashed.

As a result, Hamilton Island discontinued the use of six-seater buggies on the island.

Marina Morgan tragically died on her honeymoon on Hamilton Island.

Importance of travel insurance

According to new Finder research, more than one-in-two (57 per cent) Aussies are planning a getaway in the next 12 months, including 32 per cent who plan to travel within Australia and 12 per cent who plan to travel internationally.

Gary Hunter, insurance expert at Finder, said travel insurance had become even more of a must-have product since Covid.

An insurance expert has revealed the importance of taking out travel insurance as Aussies start to plan getaways.

“Experts and travel companies have urged travellers for years to take out travel insurance but prior to Covid, a lot of holiday-makers didn’t give it much thought,” Mr Hunter told news.com.au.

“It is now widely recognised that travel is unpredictable and the possibility of needing assistance before and during your trip is high.

“Plus, there are a range of reasons other than Covid you might need travel insurance – for example lost luggage, stolen property or getting into a road accident.”

He explained for vehicles like motorcycles, travel insurance will only cover you if you’re riding with an Australian licence or a valid licence in that country.

“You also need to be wearing a helmet and stick to a specific engine size. The same thing goes for quad biking,” he added.

“Travel insurance is also designed to help if the absolute worst happens and you die while on holiday. It can pay to get your remains home and cover funeral expenses.”