MAN’S HORROR DISCOVERY OF DEAD WIFE AFTER FATAL HIGHWAY CRASH
THE husband of a woman killed in a horror three-vehicle crash south of Innisfail was among the first to arrive at the scene after being unable to reach her by radio.
The 44-year-old Victorian woman was declared dead at the scene after her northbound car and another vehicle collided head-on near the Cowley Beach intersection on the Bruce Highway just before 10.30am yesterday.
A southbound B-double then struck the woman’s car.
Forensic Crash Unit Senior Constable Leisa Vagg said early investigations suggested the woman’s car, which was towing a boat, may have veered into the wrong lane just before the collision.
She said the woman was believed to have been travelling in a convoy with her husband who was ahead and had backtracked after being unable to contact her.
“He got down the road a bit and couldn’t get her on the radio so has turned around,” she said.
Police will investigate a number of possible factors including fatigue and distraction as they probe the crash.
It occurred about 2km from the Cowley Beach intersection which has become a serious black spot with two fatalities at the site last year.
Police performed tests on the road to rule it out as a possible factor when a Belgian backpacker died at the spot in a head-on collision last August.
The road remained closed for more than six hours following the incident. Traffic was diverted from the Bruce Highway and all heavy vehicles forced to wait until the road reopened as police investigated the cause of the crash.
The passengers from the other vehicle, a man, a woman and two boys, were taken to Innisfail Hospital, along with the truck driver.
They were all in a stable condition.
The woman is the 21st person to die on Far Northern roads this year, which is six fewer than this time last year.
Investigations into the crash are ongoing and SenConstable Vagg called on any witnesses yet to talk to police to come forward.
District Crime Prevention co-ordinator for Cassowary Coast Jane Moran urged motorists to drive carefully, particularly with Christmas holidays ahead.
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