TRAGIC DEATHS
Devoted Cairns couple killed in Townsville crossing accident
A CAIRNS couple killed in a tragic pedestrian accident in Townsville have been described as loving and devoted.
Malcolm and Esme Beck (left) died instantly after being struck by a SUV on Christmas Eve.
The couple, in their 70s, were stalwarts of the Lutheran Church and served nearly 40 years as teachers in the Lutheran education system, latterly at Peace Lutheran College at Kamerunga.
Police have cleared the driver of the SUV.
A CAIRNS couple killed by a car while they were crossing a Townsville road on Christmas Eve have been remembered as a doting husband and wife.
Malcolm and Esme Beck were hit by a blue Mazda SUV on Ross River Rd, Mysterton, about 7.10pm on Monday.
The retired couple, in their mid-70s, had been visiting one of their two daughters in Townsville before tragedy struck.
It is understood they had been crossing the road after attending a church service and were to be collected by their daughter. Police said the couple had been hit by the SUV, which had been travelling outbound, with witnesses describing the pair as going “flying”.
The male driver was treated for shock and taken to Townsville Hospital.
Paramedics performed CPR on the couple for an extensive period of time but they were pronounced dead at the scene.
Cairns Lutheran Parish Pastor Greg Schiller delivered the news to his church congregation during Christmas Day mass.
He said the Becks were much loved by the church family. “It’s a total shock,” he said. He said the couple, who had both taught at Peace Lutheran College, had only just gathered with church members on Sunday before they flew to Townsville to be with their daughter for Christmas.
“They have family, of course, but their daughters don’t live in Cairns,” he said.
“They became like parents to all of us, that’s for sure.”
Townsville Police acting Inspector Stephen Batterham said the driver had returned a negative breath test and there had been no indication of drugs.
He said no charges were expected against the driver at this stage, however the vehicle involved in the crash had been seized by police and would undergo forensic and mechanical inspections.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and the friends of those who have died, including the driver of the vehicle and his family,” he said.
“We cannot begin to understand the grief and the loss that is being felt by the families of these people.”