Two elderly people have died following a devastating crash involving a utility vehicle and a truck on the Bruce Highway at Toobanna, south of Ingham, in North Queensland.
Emergency services were called to the scene near the Masters Road intersection at approximately 9:45am on Thursday, 2 July, after reports of a serious collision between a Toyota utility and a truck. Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics, Queensland Police and fire crews responded to the incident.
Police confirmed the driver of the utility, an 80-year-old woman, died at the scene. Her passenger, an 86-year-old man, suffered critical injuries and died while being transported to Ingham Hospital. Both victims were travelling in the Toyota utility, which sustained extensive damage in the collision. The tray of the vehicle was torn away by the force of the impact.
The truck driver was assessed at the scene and did not suffer any significant physical injuries. Authorities have not released the identities of the deceased pending formal identification and notification of their next of kin.
The crash forced the closure of the Bruce Highway in both directions for several hours while emergency crews treated the scene and investigators examined the wreckage. Motorists were diverted through Blackrock, Helens Hill and Ingham, causing lengthy delays for travellers and freight operators using Queensland's main coastal highway. Police advised motorists to expect significant disruptions until the road was reopened.
Detectives from the Forensic Crash Unit are investigating the circumstances that led to the collision. Investigators will examine factors including vehicle movements, road conditions and witness accounts to determine the cause of the crash. Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision or has relevant dashcam footage to contact investigators.
The fatal collision occurred on the same day as another major emergency nearby, where two men were critically injured in a machinery incident on a cane farm at Bambaroo, approximately 15 kilometres south of Ingham. Emergency services responded to both incidents within hours of each other, placing considerable pressure on local emergency resources.
The Bruce Highway is Queensland's principal north–south transport corridor and carries thousands of vehicles each day, including freight trucks, tourists and local traffic. Road safety authorities continue to urge motorists to drive to the conditions, avoid fatigue, obey speed limits and remain vigilant, particularly on regional highways where high-speed collisions can have catastrophic consequences.
Investigations into Thursday's fatal crash remain ongoing, and a report will be prepared for the Coroner. Police hope witness information and dashcam footage will help establish exactly how the collision occurred.
