Tributes flow for two mates killed in tragic crash near Innisfail
A Far North Queensland community is in mourning after two beloved mates recently lost their lives in a tragic crash involving a sugar truck. Read the tributes here.
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The community of Innisfail is in mourning after two beloved mates lost their lives in a tragic crash involving a sugar truck.
East Innisfail man Frank Mitchell, 67, had been giving his mate Phil Bowie, 60, a lift home to Nerada after a night of playing pool when they were involved in a fatal crash along the Palmerston Highway on Tuesday night.
Police said the sedan the pair had been travelling collided with a truck hauling sugar travelling in the opposite direction near Coorumba around 10.20pm.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, the two friends tragically were declared deceased at the scene, while the truck driver was hospitalised with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
Frank’s youngest son, Scott Mitchell, spoke of the overwhelming support their family has received from the community.
“The outpouring of kindness has been incredible,” he said.
Scott remembered his dad as a “happy-go-lucky” bloke who got along with everyone.
He said Frank was passionate about football and spent much of his life refereeing and coaching rugby league in Innisfail before his retirement.
“He loved his NRL — it was his life,” Scott recalled.
“He’d always be watching a match on TV, arguing with the referee, and sitting there with a can of soft drink. We’re certainly going to miss him.”
In recent years, Frank developed a love for pool and joined the local competition at the Mission Beach Tavern, where he became friends Phil Bowie.
The tavern’s owners have expressed their condolences and will hold a minute’s silence in honour of Frank and Phil at their next competition night.
“Our hearts are breaking today as we send condolences to the families of Bowie and Frank,” they wrote in a touching online tribute.
“May you both rest in peace and win every pool game in heaven.”
The Forensic Crash Unit is still investigating the cause of the crash.
Images from the scene show a truck laying on its side with its contents spilt on the ground as emergency crews work to clear the scene.
It is understood that the truck involved was hauling raw sugar from the Atherton Tablelands.
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Originally published as Tributes flow for two mates killed in tragic crash near Innisfail
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