Cyclist dead in collision with motorcycle on Mt Coot-tha, Brisbane

A 65-year-old Killarney man has been killed after the bicycle he was riding collided with a motorcycle on Mt Coot-tha.

Two people died and others were seriously injured in a string of horrific crashes on Queensland roads at the weekend.

The devastation began on Saturday morning when a car rolled near Bundaberg, killing a 23-year-old Gin Gin man.

Nicholas “Joel” Wright was a passenger in the Holden Commodore police believe left the road along Burnett Heads Rd and rolled just after 2am.

Paramedics found Joel, who grew up in Mackay but more recently lived in Gin Gin, with critical injuries and he could not be saved.

His friend, a male driver, 23, remains in a serious condition with head injuries while two other friends, a male and female both in their late teens, suffered minor injuries and were taken to Bundaberg Hospital in stable conditions.

Roads were closed on Mt Coot-tha after the collision. Picture: Tara Croser

Dozens of Mr Wright’s friends took to social media to honour him, with Lora Lewis from Airlie Beach writing “a love I will never forget”.

Just hours later, a cyclist was killed on Mt Coot-tha when his bike collided with a motorcycle.

Police investigations indicate the cyclist was travelling east along Sir Samuel Griffith Drive about 10am, with the motorbike travelling in the opposite direction.

The 65-year-old Killarney man died at the scene.

The motorbike rider, a 35-year-old Fairfield man, was taken to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a serious condition.

The road was closed for several hours while police worked at the scene, with debris scattered across both lanes.

Police investigate the fatal collision. Picture: Tara Croser.

Police are appealing for anyone who has dashcam or information to contact police.

A motorcyclist was also left fighting for life after a collision with a car at Beaudesert about 11.30am.

Paramedics were called to River Rd to reports that a motorbike and a car had collided, and the rider suffered critical injuries.

The motorcycle rider was flown to Gold Coast University Hospital about 1pm in a serious condition.

The Mount Lindesay Highway was closed in both directions at Cryna, south of Beaudesert, for several hours.

The state’s road toll to July 30 was 155, including 49 motorcycle riders and three cyclists.

Ten more motorcyclists have died this year compared to the same time in 2022 – a 25 per cent increase.

Fifteen fewer people (8.8 per cent) have died on the roads so far this year compared to the same time in 2022.

Originally published as Cyclist dead in collision with motorcycle on Mt Coot-tha, Brisbane