Family’s agony as truck driver survives crash that killed his partner and child

A mother must tell her critically injured son the unthinkable truth – that his beloved partner and two-year-old daughter died in the truck crash he survived.

Aleyna Ivy Dawn Wallis, 2, and her mum Kiarra Jesse Bennett, 21, tragically died in a crash on the Bruce Highway at Canoona north of Rockhampton when the truck Aleyna's father and Kiarra's partner, Brodie Wallis, was driving collided with another truck.

A young dad fighting for life after his truck and another crashed is unaware that his partner and two-year were tragically killed.

The gratitude Larissa Wallis-Watson feels that her truck driver son Brodie miraculously survived is tainted by the loss of his partner Kiarra Jesse Bennett, 21, and granddaughter Aleyna Ivy Dawn Wallis, and the knowledge she will have to break the harrowing news to him.

The Freightliner truck Brodie was driving and a Mercedes-Benz truck collided late at night on Wednesday, November 19 on the Bruce Highway at Canoona, north of Rockhampton.

Aleyna Ivy Dawn Wallis, 2, and her mum Kiarra Jesse Bennett, 21, tragically died in a crash on the Bruce Highway at Canoona north of Rockhampton.

Brodie, 24, was ejected from the truck on impact during the accident and CapRescue flown him to Rockhampton Hospital with serious injuries and burns.

He was then flown to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

The other truck driver, a 24-year-old man from Toongabbie, NSW, was taken to Rockhampton Hospital with minor injuries but has been discharged.

The crash was so severe it sparked a fire along the highway.

The accident caused the Bruce Highway to be partly or entirely blocked off at Canoona, for more than 20 hours, with traffic banked up for kilometres.

Ms Wallis-Watson said her son had already had multiple surgeries, with many more to come.

“His prognosis unknown however we hope our love is enough and remain optimistic,” she stated on a GoFundMe page.

“My family was shattered on early hours of Thursday morning when Brodie and his family were involved in a fatal truck accident north of Rockhampton killing his beloved partner Kiarra and their beautiful lil girl Aleyna.

CapRescue responded to a truck collision near Canoona, Rockhampton. . Rescue300 was able to land on the highway, where other emergency services were already in attendance. Sadly, two people were reported deceased at the scene. The crew flew a man in his 20s to Rockhampton Hospital withsuspected multiple fractures and burn injuries.

“Currently he has no idea his girls are with the angels. And at some point I still have to break this devastating news to him.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to Kiarra’s family during this tragic time. I take solace in knowing that they were all together at the time as they chose to be.”

Ms Wallis-Watson, from Emerald, has set up a GoFundMe for travel to and from Brisbane, medical expenses, little Aleyna’s funeral bills, outstanding bills and to help cover the cost of relocating Brodie.

She said, “We are having to reach out and ask for help something of which we would never do easily nor without a heavy heart”.

“As you can imagine we are all devastated and have appreciated all your love and support thus far. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.”

The Bruce Highway at Canoona, north west of Rockhampton, has been closed after a fatal truck crash. Image: Google Maps

More than 100 people have donated and it has reached $11,000, with a target of $16,000.

A friend of Kiarra’s mother, Rebecca Bennett, has also set up a GoFundMe, which has raised $10,000 with a goal of $13,000.

Organiser Kaley Collis, also from Emerald, is urging people to help her friend Bec pay for her beloved daughter and granddaughter’s funerals.

“As a mother myself, I know that losing a child or grandchild, sadly both in this case, is the worst possible thing that could occur for any parent/grandparent and I would ask anyone that can spare any amount of money, even $1, to please donate to help Bec pay for the funerals of these two gorgeous girls on what will be the most horrific day of her life,” she said.

Ms Collis said the money raised would also help Bec and her other three children with whatever else they need during this time.

Originally published as Family’s agony as truck driver survives crash that killed his partner and child