Townsville mayor in shock after fatal traffic crash
TOWNSVILLE’S mayor has been left in shock after she was involved in a crash in which a 33-year-old man died.
Mayor Jenny Hill, who was the only person in the car, walked away physically unscathed from the peak-hour collision that claimed the life of a motorcyclist.
A witness described a plume of blue smoke and a crunch as the motorcyclist braked and collided with the left side of the mayor’s Holden Commodore at a busy Aitkenvale intersection.
The crash happened just before 8am yesterday.
A Queensland Police Service
spokesman said initial investigations indicated the car was turning right when it collided with the Suzuki motorcycle, travelling south.
Cr Hill was treated for shock and has not made a public statement about the crash.
Parts of the mangled motorcycle were left scattered all over the road, with the front wheel broken off. A number of off-duty doctors, going to work at Townsville University Hospital, were first on scene.
The 33-year-old motorcycle rider was rushed to Townsville University Hospital in a critical condition, but was pronounced dead a short time later.
Witness Brendan Donza was travelling a distance behind the motorcyclist.
He said he saw a plume of blue smoke as the rider braked then heard a crunch when the collision occurred.
“I’ve never seen something like that before in my life … it just tore me apart,” he said.
The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating. No charges have been laid.