Emergency services reeling after latest highway fatal

A SENIOR firefighter has described the shock and disbelief felt in the aftermath of a traffic crash on the Warrego Hwy that claimed the life of a man.

QUEENSLAND Fire and Rescue Service Inspector Graham Cooke said he was in disbelief at responding to another fatal traffic crash in the Toowoomba region.

A man in his 40s was killed when the car he was driving collided with a truck 20km west of Toowoomba on the Warrego Hwy yesterday morning.

It is the fourth death on local roads this month.

He urged motorists to "steady down" and concentrate when they are driving.

"(It's) just absolutely tragic. When I got the… message to say what it was, I just couldn't believe it," Insp Cooke said.

"There's been so many [fatal accidents] on this Warrego Hwy since the start of this year between Toowoomba and Dalby.

"It's very hard on the crews, and all emergency services who respond to these incidents, but also the passing public who actually are first on scene.

"It must be a very traumatic for those people."

The owner of Zimms Corner Service Station, Olga Marr, said her staff heard the accident take place and saw the immediate aftermath.

She said the busy intersection was the scene of a number of crashes.

"You get affected by everything that happens here," Ms Marr said.

"It's not just the people who are in the accident, if you race out there and try and help anyone, your life is affected immediately.

"I've got young people working here at the service station.

"It makes them think about life and what's going on."

Police were still trying to contact the man's next of kin last night.

The Forensic Crash Unit is conducting investigations into the cause of the crash.

Originally published as Emergency services reeling after latest highway fatal