Three dead in highway rollovers as witness describes horror

A woman rang her children ‘crying her eyes out’ after witnessing a man die in a horror highway rollover – one of two which claimed the lives of three people and injured five others. Warning: Disturbing content

A 38-year-old man died in a terrible Bruce Highway crash just north of Sarina on November 1, 2023. Picture: Janessa Ekert

A Queensland woman rang her children ‘crying her eyes out’ after witnessing a man die in a horror highway rollover – one of two which claimed the lives of three people and injured five others.

The passenger died following the rollover on the Bruce Highway between Mackay and Sarina, while the driver is in hospital.

The crash came just before another rollover in Far North Queensland which claimed the lives of two people and left four injured, one critically.

Police said the 4WD ute in the Sarina crash was headed south when it “left the road and rolled several times” just past Sarina Homebush Rd at 3.25pm.

Senior Constable Michael Parker said early investigations indicated “some corrective steering has been applied resulting in the vehicle losing control”.

A 38-year-old man, who was the passenger in the vehicle, died at the scene.

The driver, a 40-year-old Rural View man, was taken to Mackay Base Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A man has died after a ute rolled on the Bruce Highway at Sarina on November 1, 2023. Picture: Janessa Ekert

‘I’VE NEVER HAD TO PULL UP TO SCENE LIKE THAT’

Kylie, who asked for her last name to remain silent, said she was among the first on scene after coming across the incident while driving home to Mackay.

She said she had held a towel while another woman held the dying passenger.

“I’ve never had to pull up to a scene like that ever,” Kylie said.

The Bruce Highway was closed in both directions for several hours with traffic diverted via Eversleigh Rd. Picture: Janessa Ekert. Picture: Janessa Ekert

An off-duty fireman was already on scene, she said.

“He was in control and he was telling everyone what to do.

“A couple of blokes had come over with crowbars … he was telling them to turn the engine off and disconnect the battery, making sure the vehicle wasn’t going to explode or start a fire.”

A 38-year-old man died in a terrible Bruce Highway crash just north of Sarina on November 1, 2023. Picture: Janessa Ekert

‘I SAW HIM PASS’

Kylie, who said she was a support worker and regularly drove between Mackay and Sarina, asked if they needed help.

“I said … I’ve got pillows and blankets and towels in the car, I think I had a first aid kit as well and gloves.”

She said a woman was already in scene holding the head of one of the occupants of the vehicle.

“I was there holding a towel up for the lady who as hold (his) head … I saw him pass, he just … closed his eye,” she said.

“It was just horrible.

Forensic Crash Unit are investigating the tragedy. Picture: Janessa Ekert

The first thing she did afterwards was ring her children “crying my eyes out”.

Mackay’s Forensic Crash Unit officers are investigating the rollover.

Senior Constable Michael Parker said the driver had been tested for alcohol and drugs and returned negative readings.

The Bruce Highway was closed in both directions for several hours with traffic diverted via Eversleigh Rd.

Investigations are continuing.

Originally published as Three dead in highway rollovers as witness describes horror