Police execute Wide Bay blitz as four lives lost in days

More than 5000 drivers have been breath tested for drugs and alcohol across the Wide Bay and Burnett in a police blitz that coincided with the tragic deaths of four people in as many days.

Four lives were lost on roads in the Wide Bay-Burnett as police carried out a blitz across the region, breath testing more than 5000 drivers.

Highway patrol units from Gympie, Maryborough and Bundaberg ran Operation Xray Nitrox from March 17-23, a police statement said on Thursday.

Tragically, during that time, four lives were lost in three separate incidents in Grosvenor, Goomeri and Biggenden in just four days from March 19-22.

A 61-year-old Monto man died when a B-double truck hit a tree on the Burnett Highway and rolled onto its side at Grosvenor on March 19.

Then an elderly Murgon couple died as a result of a crash at Goomeri on March 20.

A 78-year-old man and a 71-year-old woman were driving on the Wide Bay Hwy when their car hit a tree.

The woman died of her injuries at the scene, while the man was flown to Royal Brisbane Hospital with life-threatening neck, chest and arm injuries.

A motorcyclist rider was flown to hospital in a critical condition after a crash on Burrum Heads Rd around 1pm on Sunday. Photo: Jon Rogers via Facebook

Tragically, he died of those injuries on Sunday, March 23.

On March 22, emergency crews were called to Rollison Creek Bridge on the Maryborough-Biggenden Rd shortly after 9.30am, to a crash involving a motorcycle and two vehicles.

A 74-year-old motorcycle rider from Booral on the Fraser Coast died at the scene.

A motorcyclist was also critically injured in a crash at Burrum Heads on March 23.

Wide Bay Burnett District Officer Superintendent Anne Vogler said it was deeply concerning and saddening.

“Considering the lives we’ve lost on our roads just this month, it’s concerning that we found people speeding, not wearing seatbelts and drink or drug driving – these are all proven as major contributors to serious and fatal traffic crashes,” Supt Vogler said.

“Driving while tired or distracted round out the Fatal Five – all of which are totally avoidable.

“Simple decisions behind the wheel can make drastic impacts on your life.

Wide Bay Burnett District Officer Superintendent Anne Vogler at the press conference on Thursday addressing multiple fatalities and police actions in breath testing 5000 drivers. Photo Paul Beutel.

“I acknowledge each life lost on our roads and the ripple effect of impact this has on the family and friends of the person we lost, the emergency services and wider community.

“Wide Bay Burnett district police will continue to do all we can to strengthen road safety through education, engagement and enforcement.

“However, I need you to also play your part and take responsibility for the safety of yourself, your family and community.

“During the operation, officers conducted 5100 roadside breath tests across the district which identified seven drink drivers along with 65 roadside drug tests detecting 18 drug drivers.

“247 traffic infringement notices were issued for offences including failing to wear a seatbelt, speeding, drink and drug driving, use of unregistered vehicle, defective vehicles, and learner drive motor vehicle not under direction of authorised supervisor or not seated next to supervisor.

“The operation also targeted heavy vehicles with intercept sights set up in Federal and Maryborough.”

Originally published as Police execute Wide Bay blitz as four lives lost in days