Walter Newton remembered after dying in fatal Bruce Highway crash

The heartbroken daughter of a man killed in a crash north of Mackay has revealed her father played the role of both mum and dad for his children and he’d spent years building the car with his son, which formed a “special bond” between them.

The heartbroken daughter of a man killed in a crash north of Mackay has revealed her father played the role of both mum and dad for his children and he’d spent years building the car with his son, which formed a “special bond” between them.

Walter Newton, 60, and his son Walter, 19, were travelling on the Bruce Highway just north of Mackay on Friday, at Pindi Pindi, when a ute crossed to the wrong side of the road.

The Holden ute crashed into the Newton’s black Ford ute, before a Toyota Kluger headed south also crashed into the two vehicles.

Walter senior died at the scene, while Walter junior was flown to Mackay Base Hospital in a critical condition, where he is now stable.

Mr Newton, who lived in Oonoonba, has been remembered by his daughter Maddie as an incredible father.

“He didn’t have a bad bone in his body,” Miss Newton said.

Walter Newton with his partner Stephanie Bagaric.

“We lost our mum 10 years ago suddenly and he became both a mother and father to three young children.

“He was very patient, he raised two teenage girls in the years they needed their mum.

“He was very dedicated to his work but always had time to help people, volunteered his spare time at the local kart club, loved working on cars and having his partner and family close.”

Mr Newton, a father to Maddie, 26, Alex, 24, and Walter, 19, worked in management at Formset Construction.

Miss Newton said her father and brother formed an incredible relationship through their shared love of cars.

Walter Newton senior (front) with his children Maddie, Walter and Alex.

“The car from the accident, he and my brother spent months if not years building it from the ground up. It was their special bond,” she said.

“He has loved cars since he was that age (teenager) and when my brother started showing love and interest in cars it made them inseparable. Firstly through kart racing and then as my brother grew up it turned into cars.”

Walter Newton junior and Walter Newton senior.

Walter jnr, who is currently doing a fitter machinist apprenticeship, had surgery overnight as he continues to recover and has a “long road ahead”.

Miss Newton, who lives in Melbourne, said she is “extremely frustrated” with the process to flee the Victorian capital’s lockdown to be with her brother.

Walter Newton junior with his sister Maddie.

“I applied for an exemption yesterday and have heard nothing. Every hotline or person I have contacted have not been able to help.

“The border only closed at 1am, it should not be this hard. I am a nurse, I’m fully vaccinated and I’m careful.

“I hope they do (give me an exemption soon), but I have no idea given the current climate.”

She also had a strongly worded message for the state leader’s of both Queensland and Victoria.

“People applying for an exemption typically are doing so in a matter of urgency, please tend to them that way so people can be with their families in a time of need.

“Our family has been through more trauma in the past 10 years than most do in a lifetime, don’t make it harder than it needs to be.”

Police investigations are ongoing into the fatal crash.

Originally published as Walter Newton remembered after dying in fatal Bruce Highway crash