Fatal crash, Bauple

What happened

Incident Overview

A man has died following a two-vehicle collision on the Bruce Highway at Bauple in the early hours of Sunday, 1 January 2023. The crash, which occurred at approximately 1:00am between a car and a truck, resulted in the truck catching fire. The male driver of the car suffered critical injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Queensland Police and emergency services attended immediately. The truck driver, a 48-year-old man from Carina Heights, sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Hervey Bay Hospital. Traffic diversions remained in place on the Bruce Highway throughout the morning.

Location and Time

The collision occurred on the Bruce Highway at Bauple at approximately 1:00am on Sunday, 1 January 2023.

Vehicles Involved

Vehicle 1

• Type: Car
• Driver: Male (age not specified), sole occupant (deceased at scene)

Vehicle 2

• Type: Truck
• Driver: 48-year-old male from Carina Heights (transported to hospital)
• Condition post-collision: Vehicle caught fire

Injuries / Fatalities

Fatalities

• Male driver of the car (deceased at scene)

Injuries

• 48-year-old male truck driver from Carina Heights (Hervey Bay Hospital, non-life threatening)

Community Impact

Traffic diversions were implemented on the Bruce Highway at Bauple following the collision. Motorists were advised to seek alternate routes or expect significant delays while emergency services attended the scene and conducted initial investigations.

Emergency Response

Queensland Police and emergency services responded to the scene immediately following the collision. The truck caught fire as a result of the impact. The male driver of the car was pronounced deceased at the scene. The truck driver was extracted and transported to Hervey Bay Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Investigation

Queensland Police Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the circumstances of the collision. Police are appealing for any witnesses to the crash or motorists with dashcam footage of the Bruce Highway at Bauple around the time of the incident to come forward with information.

Appeal for Information

Queensland Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam vision of the collision to contact Policelink. Information can be provided online 24 hours a day via the suspicious activity form at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au. Reference number: QP2300002320.