June 1, 2025

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Incident Overview
A fatal collision occurred on a dirt road near Irvinebank , north of Mareeba , Queensland, on Saturday, May 31, 2025 , at approximately 1:00 pm , involving a car and a utility vehicle (ute) .

The crash took place on Herberton Petford Road , where the car collided with the ute traveling in the opposite direction . A 64-year-old man , who was a passenger in the car , suffered critical injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene .

The driver of the car , a 19-year-old man from Atherton , sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Atherton Hospital for treatment. The two occupants of the ute were also assessed by paramedics but only sustained minor injuries and did not require hospitalization.

Queensland Police are investigating the cause of the crash and have appealed for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.

“The 64-year-old man… died at the scene.”
— Queensland Police statement

Location and Time

  • Crash Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025 (approximately 1:00 pm).
  • Location: Herberton Petford Road, Irvinebank, Queensland — near Mareeba.

Vehicles Involved

  • A **car**, carrying a 64-year-old passenger who died at the scene.
  • A **utility vehicle (ute)**, involved in the collision and carrying two occupants with minor injuries.

Injuries/Fatalities

  • Fatality:
    • The 64-year-old male passenger in the car died at the scene after the vehicle crashed into the ute.
  • Non-Life-Threatening Injuries:
    • The 19-year-old driver of the car was taken to hospital with non-serious injuries.
  • Minor Injuries:
    • The two occupants of the ute were treated at the scene and released without hospitalization.

Emergency Response

  • Paramedics and police arrived promptly at the scene following reports of a serious crash on a dirt road.
  • The 64-year-old passenger was confirmed dead at the site of impact.

“The car ‘crashed into (the ute) driving in the opposite direction.”
— Queensland Police update

Police Investigation
Queensland Police are examining:

  • The sequence of events leading to the collision between the car and the ute.
  • Road conditions, visibility, and potential contributing factors such as speed, distraction, or mechanical failure.
  • Dashcam or CCTV footage from **Herberton Petford Road, Irvinebank**, around **1:00 pm on May 31, 2025**.

Authorities are urging anyone with information or video evidence to contact Crime Stoppers or submit details via Policelink.

Community Impact
This tragic incident has raised concerns about road safety on rural dirt roads , particularly in areas like Irvinebank , where high-speed travel and limited visibility can increase the risk of severe outcomes. It serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by all road users, especially passengers in vehicles that may be involved in high-impact collisions.

Appeal for Information
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam/CCTV footage of the Herberton Petford Road, Irvinebank around 1:00 pm on May 31, 2025 , is urged to contact authorities: