Mackay truckie’s miracle escape from rollover at Oakenden
A Sarina man says his ‘little heart is broken’ after his home away from home was destroyed in a multi-vehicle crash. It is the second rollover in the Mackay district today with incredible outcomes.
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A Sarina man whose home away from home was extensively damaged in a three-vehicle crash near Kuttabul says his “little heart is broken” at the wreck.
Allen Goodall travels Australia with his caravan in tow, working in remote areas as he sees the countryside.
Mr Goodall escaped serious injury when his caravan flipped in the collision on Yakapari Seaforth Rd at Kuttabul about 3.45pm.
“We live in it; we travel around Australia, work around remote places,” Mr Goodall said.
“We’ve got everything (in there). We were going for a weekend up to Smalleys Beach.
“We’re going up to Darwin in March. We’ve got a house in Sarina, we rent that out and work on the road.”
Seaforth police Senior Constable Paul Broekman said investigations into the collision were under way.
“What it appears is all three vehicles were travelling north on Yakapari Seaforth Rd,” he said.
“Just past Rutlands Rd where you can overtake, two vehicles attempted to overtake resulting in a collision between the first two causing a further collision with the first vehicle which was towing a caravan.
“There does appear to be minor injuries.
“One of the female drivers is in hospital for minor injuries, the other drivers don’t appear to have any injuries.”
Mr Goodall’s caravan was towed from the scene.
Senior Constable Broekman said the incident was a reminder for all road users to be aware of their surroundings when driving.
“Queensland police is heavily concerned about road safety and that’s why you see enforcement to prevent these road tragedies,” he said.
“Just be aware of your surroundings and be safe with everything you do.”
The caravan collision is the second lucky escape for motorists after a truck driver was flown to Mackay hospital from Oakenden earlier this morning.
Pinned inside a crushed, overturned cabin, a truckie was able to talk to his rescuers working quickly to cut him free.
The 38-year-old man was on an early haul-out carting tyres from Paget to Blackwater when his truck rolled off Eton Homebush Rd at Oakenden, southwest of Mackay, about 6.30am.
The driver’s escape was described as a “miracle”, with the driver responsive despite his overturned truck and being trapped inside.
“He was responsive when we attended and at this stage injuries appear to be minor,” Sergeant Mitch Benson said.
“We were able to talk to him the whole time, and able to ascertain he was relatively unscathed so that was a good sign.”
The truck was carting tyres from Paget to Blackwater when it crashed at the corner of Eton Homebush Rd, Homebush.
The driver was flown to Mackay Base Hospital, and despite the severity of the crash he suffered minor injuries.
It is believed he was trapped by his foot.
Police, fire services and paramedics attended the scene and helped remove the entrapped male.
The reasons for the crash are currently under investigation, but police believe speed and inattention may have been a reason for the driver losing control.
The crash is one of two reported in the district after a pedestrian died in a collision with a truck near St Lawrence about 6.10am.
The Bruce Highway remains closed as Forensic Crash Unit investigations get under way in relation to the incident.
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Originally published as Mackay truckie’s miracle escape from rollover at Oakenden
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