Peak Downs Highway crash: Head-on collision at Strathfield

Police are appealing for dashcam vision after confirming a woman died in a tragic head-on crash on a Queensland highway.

Police have confirmed a Clermont woman died in a head-on collision on the Peak Downs Highway west of Mackay.

The 44-year-old driver of a Honda wagon died at the scene at Strathfield, about 25km west of Nebo, after a crash between two cars about 3.40pm.

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There are fears for a woman trapped after serious head-on collision on the Peak Downs Highway on February 2, 2022. Picture: RACQ CQ Rescue

Her passenger, a man aged in his 70s, suffered minor chest injuries and was taken to Mackay Base Hospital by road.

“Initial information indicates a four-wheel-drive Toyota heading east and Honda Wagon heading west on the Peak Downs Highway, about 25km west of Nebo, collided head on,” police said.

“Preliminary investigations indicate the eastbound four-wheel-drive Toyota has, for unknown reasons, veered into the path of the westbound Honda Wagon.”

Authorities arrived to a horrific scene after a serious head-on collision on the Peak Downs Highway on February 2, 2022. Picture: RACQ CQ Rescue

The female driver and sole occupant of the Toyota travelling eastbound sustained serious injuries and was flown in a RACQ CQ Rescue Service helicopter to Mackay Base Hospital.

The RACQ CQ Rescue Service chopper flew to Strathfield. Picture: RACQ CQ Rescue

Initial reports suggested all three people were initially trapped in the vehicles and emergency service workers had to free them.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the Toyota driver suffered compound leg fractures and arm injuries.

There were early fears for the woman trapped in a Honda wagon after serious head-on collision on the Peak Downs Highway on February 2, 2022. Picture: RACQ CQ Rescue

The Mackay Forensic Crash Unit is conducting investigations into the matter.

Investigators are appealing for motorists who may have witnessed the crash, or those who drove past it to come forward, especially those with dashcam vision.

Passengers were freed from two cars after a head-on collision. Picture: RACQ CQ Rescue

The Peak Downs Highway was blocked in both directions about 2-3km east of the Fitzroy Developmental Road until about 9pm.

On Thursday, Mackay Forensic Crash Unit officer-in-charge Michael Hollett said the crash, involving two cars spinning off to opposite sides of the highway, was “just a tragic occurrence”.

“[The Clermont woman] was just going about her day and she just got caught in a situation that happened extremely quickly,” he said.

“We need to work out why this crash occurred.

“The scene was quite confronting. Both vehicles were very heavily damaged.”

Sergeant Hollett said the woman more than likely died on impact from the head-on collision as there were no signs of life when the paramedics arrived.

He said the investigation into the crash would take four to eight weeks but they would take a blood specimen from the other driver to see if drugs or alcohol played a part.

Originally published as Peak Downs Highway crash: Head-on collision at Strathfield