Mt Coot-Tha bicycle crash: 65-year-old killed in collision identified

A father killed in a two-vehicle crash at Mt Coot-Tha has been remembered as a kind man who radiated community spirit and dedicated his free time to helping elderly residents in his country town.

Killarney’s former postmaster has been remembered as a kind man and dear friend after he lost his life in a crash at Mt Coot-Tha.

James Heron was cycling along Sir Samuel Griffith Drive about 10am on Saturday when he collided with a motorcyclist that was travelling in the opposite direction.

A close friend of James said his passing would affect many in their tight-knit Southern Downs community.

“James and his wife Jane bought the post office in 1996 and ran that for about 20 years but then decided they wanted to do other things,” Barbara George said.

James took on volunteer work at Killarney Memorial Aged Care when he helped transport elderly residents to their various appointments and delivered Meals on Wheels.

Killarney man James Heron died after he collided a motorcyclist at Mt Coot-Tha on August 5, 20223.

Ms George said James had strong connections in the community and came to know many elderly residents who he visit at home each week, helping tidy up their gardens before sharing a beer or two.

“He would do the jobs they could not do for themselves, so they could stay in their homes,” she said.

Aside from his work in the community James was also an avid cyclist.

As a young man in his 20s he rode from England to India, through Afghanistan.

“He loved pedalling everywhere,” Ms George said.

“He would have had plenty of hair-raising adventures on that ride.

“Later he pedaled from Brisbane to Sydney just because he wanted to see an aunt.

“There is not a piece of road in the district that does not have James’ tyre marks on it

“He knew every road.”

James Heron (right) was an avid cyclist, pictured here with Bob Snow after a ride through Swan Creek. Photo Gerard Walsh / Warwick Daily News

Mt Coot-Tha, where the fatal crash occurred, had a special place in the family’s heart.

Decades ago James’ father owned a restaurant at the top of the mountain.

“He had pedaled that stretch many, many times,” Ms George said.

“James and Jane just went on a holiday to house-sit. They were catching up with a lot of old friends from Brisbane

“The crash was on a section of road that James knew like the back of his hand.

“James was a dear friend and a very authentic guy.

“He was doing what he loved but he is leaving such a massive hole here in the community.”