Tributes flow for Mitch Kilner after a horror crash on Mount Marlow, which has claimed three lives
A Gold Coast man is being remembered as a “ripping bloke” as his fiance faces a “long road of recovery” with serious injuries after a horror crash which claimed the lives of three people.
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A Gold Coast man is being remembered as a “ripping bloke” as his fiance faces a “long road of recovery” with serious injuries after a horror crash which claimed the lives of three people.
Emergency services were called to the scene of a two-car crash in Mount Marlow in the Whitsunday Region on August 11 at 1pm.
A Queensland Police statement said a Nissan Navara was travelling east on Shute Harbour Rd when it collided with a Toyota LandCruiser which was going in the opposite direction.
It was alleged the Nissan had crossed onto the other side of the road during heavy rain before hitting the Toyota head-on.
Two passengers who were inside the Nissan Navara including, five-months pregnant Mary Joy Estrada De La Cruz, 35, and her mother Marvic Estrada, 60, died at the scene.
Mary’s husband Edgar De La Cruz Jr, who was driving the Nissan was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
28-year-old Mitch Kilner – who was sitting in the back of the Toyota – was flown to Mackay Hospital, however he tragically died five days later on August 16.
Mitch’s fiance, Chloe Vandersteeg – who was also sitting in the back of the Toyota – was rushed to Townsville University Hospital with significant spinal injuries.
She has since been released but has not been cleared to travel back to the Gold Coast.
Chloe’s colleague Alethea Curtis started a GoFundMe to help support her friend’s road to recovery.
Alethea shared a heartwarming tribute to Mitch who she said was a “beautiful young man who adored his fiance and their seven-year-old chocolate labrador, Koda”.
“Chloe’s spine injury and dealing with the unexpected loss of her beloved fiance Mitch, has drastically changed Chloe’s way of life,” she said.
“The horrific accident has left Chloe in a serious physical state and with the unbearable reality of the loss of her future with her fiance Mitch.”
On August 28, the GoFundMe had raised more than $10,000 and Alethea said the funds would help cover the travel expenses from Townsville back to Mermaid Beach.
“She will then relocate herself and her labrador, Koda, to her and Mitch’s hometown of Wangaratta, Victoria, where she can be with her family who can support her through rehabilitation,” she said.
“Chloe will also require continuous emotional support to cope with the trauma of the accident and the overwhelming grief of having to return home without Mitch.
“Every donation, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in helping Chloe rebuild her life.”
Mitch’s Australian rules football club, the Park Ridge Pirates, shared a tribute for him the day after he died.
“It is with great sadness I write this post,” it said.
“We lost a valued member of our pirate family yesterday.
“Mitch Kilner joined our club last year and was a great asset to our playing group.
“On behalf of the Park Ridge Pirates, we give our condolences to Mitch’s family and friends.
“You will be greatly missed.”
Nicole Roderick commented on the post and said Mitch was an “inspiration to the young guys”.
“He was a ripping bloke,” Andy Colenso commented.
On August 19, Chloe changed her profile picture to a photo of her and Mitch, captioning it “my forever love”.
Bec Tully commented and said: “the time you had together was so special. I’m so sorry it was cut short”.
Originally published as Tributes flow for Mitch Kilner after a horror crash on Mount Marlow, which has claimed three lives
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