Truck Driver Killed After Fiery Collision on Bruce Highway – Takilberan, Gin Gin Region, QLD – 31 October 2025

Incident Overview
A man in his 40s has died following a two-truck collision that sparked a fire on the Bruce Highway near Takilberan, north of Gin Gin, on Friday night, October 31, 2025.

At approximately 9:23 pm, emergency services were called to the intersection of the Bruce Highway and Duckpond Road after reports of a serious crash involving two heavy vehicles, one of which caught alight shortly after impact.

The Forensic Crash Unit (FCU) has confirmed that the driver of one truck, a man in his 40s, died at the scene, while the driver of the other vehicle — a 25-year-old Logan Reserve man — was transported to Bundaberg Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Sections of the Bruce Highway were closed overnight as crews battled the blaze and investigators examined the crash site.

“Two trucks had collided, with one truck catching fire. The driver of one of the trucks, a man in his 40s, died at the scene.” — Queensland Police Service

Location and Time

• Crash Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 (approximately 9:23 pm)
• Location: Intersection of Bruce Highway and Duckpond Road, Takilberan, north of Gin Gin, Queensland

Vehicles Involved

• Truck 1 — driven by a man in his 40s (fatality)
• Truck 2 — driven by a 25-year-old man from Logan Reserve (non-life-threatening injuries)

Injuries/Fatalities

• Fatality:
  • Male truck driver, aged in his 40s — died at the scene after sustaining fatal injuries in the collision and ensuing fire.
• Injuries:
  • 25-year-old male driver from Logan Reserve — treated for minor injuries and transported to Bundaberg Hospital in a stable condition.

Emergency Response

• Firefighters, police, and ambulance crews arrived shortly after 9:30 pm to find one of the vehicles engulfed in flames.
• Crews worked for several hours to extinguish the fire and prevent further explosions from the truck’s fuel load.
• Queensland Ambulance Service treated the surviving driver on site before hospital transport.
• The Bruce Highway remained **closed overnight** with diversions in place; it reopened later the following afternoon once debris and wreckage were cleared.

“The Bruce Highway remains closed and is expected to open later this afternoon.” — Queensland Police

Police Investigation
The Forensic Crash Unit (FCU) is investigating:

• The cause of the collision, including whether fatigue, visibility, or mechanical failure contributed.
• Speed and lane positioning at the time of impact.
• Fire origin and the possibility of secondary explosions following impact.
• Eyewitness accounts and dashcam footage from passing motorists between 9:00 pm and 9:45 pm.

Police confirmed that both vehicles will undergo mechanical inspection as part of the ongoing inquiry.

Community Impact
The crash caused extensive highway disruptions and has deeply affected the Gin Gin and Bundaberg freight communities, where many truck drivers travel long distances on the Bruce Highway.

The incident marks yet another fatality in a string of heavy vehicle collisions on Queensland’s major freight routes, prompting renewed emphasis on driver fatigue management, vehicle maintenance, and fire risk mitigation for long-haul operators.

“Our thoughts are with the family and colleagues of the driver who lost his life in this tragic incident.” — Queensland Police spokesperson

Appeal for Information
Investigators are appealing to anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage to contact:

• Policelink: Call 131 444 or report online at [www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting](https://www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting)
• Crime Stoppers QLD: Call 1800 333 000 or submit anonymously via [www.crimestoppersqld.com.au](https://www.crimestoppersqld.com.au)