Update 1: Fatal motorbike crash, Yalboroo (Mackay)

What happened

Incident Overview

On Saturday, September 16, 2023, a fatal two-vehicle collision occurred on the Bruce Highway near Yalboroo, north of Mackay, Queensland. A 71-year-old motorbike rider from Bakers Creek was killed when a blue Toyota Corolla turned in front of him on Cathu O’Connell River Road at approximately 11:45am.

Queensland Police Forensic Crash Unit attended the scene and commenced a full investigation. The driver of the Corolla, a 28-year-old man from New South Wales, was not physically injured and assisted police with their inquiries.

Location and Time

The collision occurred on the Bruce Highway at its intersection with Cathu O’Connell River Road, Yalboroo, north of Mackay, at approximately 11:45am on Saturday, September 16, 2023.

Vehicles Involved

Vehicle 1

• Make/Model: Blue Toyota Corolla
• Direction: southbound on the Bruce Highway
• Driver: 28-year-old male from New South Wales (uninjured)

Vehicle 2

• Make/Model: Motorbike
• Direction: northbound on Cathu O’Connell River Road
• Rider: 71-year-old male from Bakers Creek (deceased)

Injuries / Fatalities

Fatalities

• 71-year-old male motorbike rider from Bakers Creek (pronounced deceased en route to hospital)

Injuries

• None reported.

Emergency Response

Queensland Ambulance Service attended the scene and transported the motorbike rider to hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Queensland Police and emergency services managed the scene and secured the collision site for forensic examination.

Investigation

Queensland Police Forensic Crash Unit is leading the investigation into the circumstances of the collision. On September 22, 2023, the 28-year-old driver was charged with one count of drive without due care and attention causing death. He is scheduled to appear before Mackay Magistrates Court on November 21, 2023.

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam or mobile phone vision of the Bruce Highway and Cathu O’Connell River Road intersection around the time of the crash to come forward.

Appeal for Information

Queensland Police are urging anyone with information about the collision, or who captured relevant vision, to contact Policelink on 131 444 or submit information online at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting. Crime information can also be reported anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au. Reference number: QP2301546194.