June 24, 2025

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Incident Overview
A serious crash on the New England Highway has sparked calls for the upgrade of Back Creek Bridge, which is the last single-lane bridge on the route.

The incident occurred on Monday, June 22, 2025, at approximately 8:00 am near Cooyar, about 90 km north of Toowoomba, when a man was critically injured after his ute collided with a truck on Back Creek Bridge.

He was taken to Toowoomba Hospital and is currently in stable condition.

Back Creek Bridge is the only remaining single-lane bridge on the New England Highway, which spans nearly 900 km from Yarraman (north of Toowoomba) to Newcastle, NSW.

Police and the trucking industry are calling for the bridge to be replaced due to its safety risks.

“Police and the trucking industry are calling for the last single-lane bridge on the New England Highway to be replaced.”
— ABC Southern Qld report

Location and Time

  • Crash Date: Monday, June 22, 2025 (approximately 8:00 am)
  • Location: Back Creek Bridge, New England Highway, near Cooyar, Queensland — 90 km north of Toowoomba

Vehicles Involved

  • A white ute, involved in a collision with a truck on Back Creek Bridge.
  • A truck transporting livestock, which was also involved in the crash.

Injuries/Fatalities

  • Serious Injuries:
    • A man was critically injured after the collision on Back Creek Bridge.
  • No Fatalities:
    • No deaths reported in the incident.

Emergency Response

  • Paramedics responded quickly to reports of a serious collision involving a ute and a truck.
  • The driver of the ute was taken to Toowoomba Hospital and remains in stable condition.
  • The New England Highway was closed in both directions for several hours during the incident.

“The New England Highway was closed in both directions for several hours.”
— ABC Southern Qld update

Police and Industry Response

  • Police Concern:
    • Queensland Police patrol group Inspector Scott Stahlhut said the bridge is a growing concern as more trucks transport livestock along the highway.
  • Industry Calls for Action:
    • Graeme Hoare, a haulage company compliance manager, said it’s time to improve safety around the bridge.
  • Short-Term Solutions:
    • Recommendations include trimming vegetation, installing a reduced speed sign, and flashing lights to improve visibility.

“It’s high time safety was improved in the area.”
— Graeme Hoare, haulage company compliance manager

Infrastructure Updates

  • Planned Upgrades:
    • The Department of Transport and Main Roads has been planning a $600,000 safety upgrade to the bridge.
  • Current Status:
    • A planning period for the upgrades was set to finish this month.

Community Impact
This incident has raised concerns about road safety on the New England Highway, particularly around Back Creek Bridge, where single-lane conditions and limited visibility pose significant risks to drivers and trucks.

Appeal for Information
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam/CCTV footage of the New England Highway near Back Creek Bridge around 8:00 am on June 22, 2025, is urged to contact authorities:

  • Crime Stoppers QLD: Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
  • Witness Reporting: Contact Queensland Police directly via local station or through the official website.