HORROR START ON ROADS
82-YEAR-OLD MAN DIES IN NEW TEAR'S DAY CRASH
IN A tragic start to the new year, an 82-year-old man has died in a single vehicle crash north of Toowoomba on the first day of 2019.
While investigations into the crash were continuing, police investigators said it appeared the van had veered off Pechey-Maclagan Rd at Pechey and hit a tree.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene, and police are reminding motorists to be vigilant and stick to the road rules.
IN A tragic start to 2019, an 82year-old man has died in a single-vehicle accident north of Toowoomba on the first day of the New Year.
Emergency services crews were called to the crash scene at the intersection of Pechey-Maclagan Rd and Merritts Creek Rd, Pechey, south of Crows Nest, about 10.26am yesterday.
Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics pronounced the man dead soon after arriving on scene.
The deceased man was the sole occupant of the vehicle and his name had not been released by police late yesterday.
Acting Inspector Craig Berry of Toowoomba police, who attended the crash scene yesterday, said the cause of the crash was still under investigation.
“Preliminary inquiries reveal that at approximately 10.20 this morning an 82-yearold person was travelling in an easterly direction (on Pechey-Maclagan Rd) toward Pechey,” he said.
“It appears he’s veered off the road and collided with a tree at the side of the road.
“It is too early to speculate on the cause of the accident.”
Act. Insp. Berry said the tragedy was a timely reminder to all motorists to remain vigilant when on the roads, drive to conditions and to be aware of the Fatal Five — speeding, drink and drug driving, failure to wear a seatbelt, driving while fatigued and distraction.
“The new year should be met with joy and hope, unfortunately the start to 2019 thus far has resulted in police attending a premises where they’ve had to deliver some very tragic news to some family members,” he said.
“So, it’s a very terrible start to the new year and something we’d like to avoid where possible.
“I guess it’s opportunistic for me to remind the travelling public in relation to observing the road rules particularly over the festive season and the new year.
“Be vigilant when driving, consider the Fatal Five of course.”
Captain John Hislop of Crows Nest Fire Service was one of the first on scene.
“The pager went off about 10.26am and we had two crews here, one from Crows Nest and one from Toowoomba,” he said.
“Initially, we found a generator leaking fuel which we removed to contain the hazard.”
Capt Hislop confirmed there was nothing that medical crews could have done for the driver who is believed to have died soon after the crash.
Pechey-Maclagan Rd remained closed for much of yesterday while police investigated the scene.
‘‘ IT’S A VERY TERRIBLE START TO THE NEW YEAR AND SOMETHING WE’D LIKE TO AVOID WHERE POSSIBLE.
ACTING INSPECTOR CRAIG BERRY