Crash investigators reveal new details in fatal rollover at Nebo

Gut-wrenching new details have been released over the Mackay region’s first road fatality of 2023, as crash investigators probe the cause of a crash that claimed the life of a Nebo man.

A heartbreaking detail has been revealed over the Mackay region’s first road fatality of 2023, with investigators revealing it was the victim’s own father who discovered the grisly scene.

A 31-year-old Nebo man was travelling home when he lost control of the vehicle, which left the Peak Downs Highway on the night of January 16.

In a devastating twist, it has been revealed it was the victim’s own father who discovered the tragedy about 11.20pm.

It is not exactly clear what caused the driver to lose control.

“It was a wet road … there was a lot of rain at the time,” Mackay Forensic Crash Unit officer in charge Sergeant Michael Hollett said.

Sergeant Hollett said the car was going around slight left-hand bend, when it left the highway and went down an embankment before the driver’s side struck a tree.

Flowers on the roadside mark the scene of a fatal crash.

When his son failed to return home, his father went looking for him and noticed debris on the highway about 10km from the Nebo township.

“He stopped to investigate and found his son’s car on its roof in the ditch,” Sergeant Hollett said.

The victim was still in the driver’s seat.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing and Sergeant Hollett said the FCU would be exploring the man’s manner of driving or whether alcohol or drugs were involved.

Mackay Forensic Crash Unit Officer in Charge Sergeant Michael Hollett implored motorists to drive to the conditions. Picture: Lillian Watkins.

He said the road seemed to be fine where the vehicle left the bitumen, but it had been a “very wet road”, it was late at night and still raining.

It was a grim reminder the region was still in the wet season until late March or early April, he said.

“There is a good chance we could experience more periods of rain … so drive to the prevailing conditions,” Sergeant Hollett said.

“Just because the speed limit is 80km/h or 100km/h, doesn’t mean you have to do 80 or 100km/h.”

Twenty-two people lost their lives in 20 traffic crashes in 2022, which is the worst year for road fatalities in five years.

The causes linked to the 2022 fatal crashes include alleged drink and drug-driving, fatigue, speeding and mobile phone use.

Originally published as Crash investigators reveal new details in fatal rollover at Nebo