Bus and car collision shuts Bruce Highway south of Mackay

A giant of his community, a man killed in a horrific collision between a bus and car on the Bruce Highway had just weeks earlier gotten married surrounded by family.

A man who died in a deadly bus and car collision on the Bruce Highway between Mackay and Rockhampton was a giant of his community who just weeks earlier had gotten married.

Toby Turner, 60, tragically died in the collision near Music St off the highway at Carmila about 7.20pm Thursday, May 12.

His death has rocked the small-town community as it rallies to support his new wife Terrie after the couple married just weeks earlier.

Mrs Turner, in a post to social media, said the pair had planned to grow old together.

“Now I am nothing without you forever,” she wrote, sharing photos of the couple’s wedding day.

Touching tributes from friends and family have been posted in response, remembering Mr Turner as a giant of the community who will miss him.

Warren 'Toby' Turner and wife Terrie Turner on their wedding day on April 30, 2022. Mr Turner died in a collision on the Bruce Highway between a bus and car on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at Carmila. Picture: Facebook

“Big loss for the community,” a friend wrote.

“RIP mate, will miss your big smile and you giving me cheek at work.”

“You were larger than life itself,” another wrote.

“The toughest man I knew in every aspect of his life,” was another.

“Can’t believe I missed my last chance to drink with you one last time mate, I’ll forever have to wear that.

Warren 'Toby' Turner and wife Terrie Turner on their wedding day on April 30, 2022. Mr Turner died in a collision on the Bruce Highway between a bus and car on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at Carmila. Picture: Facebook

“I know you would be calling me weak with how upset I am, but you will be missed mate.”

Mr Turner’s death is among the latest tragedy to mar the region’s roads.

The only occupants of the bus, a driver and one passenger who was also an employee of the bus company, were not physically injured.

Initial police investigations suggested the bus was travelling south and the man was travelling north when his vehicle crossed to the other side of the road when the collision occurred.

The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.

Hannah Atherton, 19, was the pillion passenger on her 60-year-old father Alan Atherton’s Harley Davidson as part of a birthday ride when tragedy struck about 10.25am on Monday April 18. Picture: Facebook

The tragedy is not the latest in the region. A 41-year-old man died at the scene of a single-vehicle crash at Bloomsbury about 6.20pm Saturday, May 14.

But Mr Turner’s passing followed a Calen woman Casey Munchow’s tragic flood death when the 31-year-old’s car was swept off a flooded causeway at Mount Ossa about 5am Wednesday, May 11.

A Sarina father of three was killed in a hit and run on an unlit rural road on Mother’s Day.

Investigations suggest Jordan Blanch, 27, had been walking along the westbound lane of Sarina Beach Rd when an unknown vehicle struck him between 5.30am and 5.40am.

Jacob Betts was killed with the motorcycle he was riding collided with a vehicle on Horse and Jockey Rd at Racecourse on May 8, 2022.

Dysart man Jacob Betts also tragically died at Racecourse at 5.05am that day following a collision between a motorbike and vehicle.

Police say a Toyota Corolla had been travelling northbound on Horse and Jockey Road, hitting the motorbike when it turned right onto Gibsons Road.

The two deaths followed a fatal motorbike crash on the Bruce Highway between Mackay and Rockhampton on Friday night.

Sarina man Jordan Blanch was tragically killed in a hit and run on Sarina Beach Rd on Mother's Day 2022. Picture: Go Fund Me

Glenlee man Darren Holley, 50, was travelling to Mackay where he often worked and police believe he lost control and hit a guard rail about 4.50pm near Heifer Creek Bridge, just north of Schnieder Rd, at St Lawrence.

The two motorbike deaths follow the recent crash near Koumala involving father Alan Atherton and his daughter Hannah, 19, riding as a pillion passenger for his 60th birthday on Easter Monday.

Mr Atherton died at the scene and his daughter lost her fight for survival at Townsville Hospital days later.

The Athertons were farewelled on Friday at a service at Mackay Turf Club

Originally published as Bus and car collision shuts Bruce Highway south of Mackay