July 18, 2025

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Incident Overview
A man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s have died following a two-vehicle collision at a rural intersection in northeast Queensland. The crash occurred at approximately 11:45 am on Thursday, July 18, 2025, at the intersection of the Kennedy Highway and Malanda Atherton Road in Atherton, about 90 minutes southwest of Cairns. The elderly pair were travelling in a Toyota Landcruiser when their vehicle collided with a Subaru towing a caravan. Both were declared deceased at the scene. The occupants of the Subaru were not physically injured.

Location and Time

  • Crash Date: Thursday, July 18, 2025 (approximately 11:45 am)
  • Location: Intersection of Kennedy Highway and Malanda Atherton Road, Atherton, Queensland

Vehicles Involved

  • Toyota Landcruiser – driven by elderly male, with one female passenger
  • Subaru towing a caravan – occupants uninjured

Injuries/Fatalities

  • Fatalities:
    • A man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s died at the scene from injuries sustained in the collision.
  • No Injuries:
    • The occupants of the Subaru were not physically injured.

Emergency Response
Emergency crews responded quickly, but despite on-site treatment efforts, both elderly victims could not be revived. The scene was secured for investigation, and the intersection was partially closed while crash analysts documented evidence.

Investigation
Queensland Police and crash investigators are assessing the following:

  • Whether visibility or the time of day (including potential glare from the afternoon sun) played a role
  • Traffic speed and signage adequacy at the rural intersection
  • Line of sight and approach patterns from both intersecting roads

Reference number not yet publicly released. No charges have been laid at this time.

Community Impact
Local residents and motorists have expressed deep concern about safety at this intersection. In online discussions, many noted the lack of traffic lights or turning lanes, calling the site “dangerous” and citing previous collisions. Suggestions for improvements include signal installation, widening the road, and reconfiguring lane layouts to prevent high-speed crossing conflicts.

Witnesses/Appeals
Queensland Police are asking for any witnesses or motorists with dashcam footage from the area between 11:30 am and 12:00 pm on July 18, 2025, to contact: