Daniel ‘one of a kind mate’
Friends and family remember driver killed in M1 tragedy
DANIEL Turner was heading home to Redcliffe on Sunday after a fun weekend on the Gold Coast. Tragically, he never made it. It was almost 11.30am when Daniel’s Holden Rodeo ute broke down on the side of the M1 at Helensvale.
The 25-year-old pulled into the emergency lane, got out of the car and looked under the bonnet.
Minutes later a 33-year-old female driver, in a red hatchback, slammed into Daniel’s car at speed, pushing it on top of him and crushing him.
Daniel’s devastated family and friends have broken their silence, remembering their son, brother and mate as a “cheeky” guy who lived life to the full.
In a statement to the Bulletin, Daniel’s mum, Annette Turner, wrote: “To my beautiful son, struck down in the prime of your life. Your charisma, cheekiness and smile drew everyone to you. My baby with the ‘devil may come’ attitude … the love and kindness in your soul will be with me forever. Bye Daniel”.
Daniel’s distraught sister Melanie Turner said the family was in shock and going through the motions to formalise identifications and plan a funeral.
Daniel went to Redland Plains High School and worked as a trainee hydraulics fitter at B&S Hydraulics.
The well-liked young man was already planning a celebration for his 26th birthday in April.
Best mate of 20-plus years, Brett Eakins, said he did not think he would ever meet another “Daniel”.
“He was too good of a soul to be taken so early,” he said.
“We did everything together … he was on his way to my house when this happened. We grew up living across the road from each other in Redbank Plains, and in our teen years he lived with my mum and I.”
Mr Eakins said Daniel was a thrillseeker, who always pushed his boundaries.
“He was fearless … he loved bikes, riding dirt bikes and road bikes … we always thought if something would happen to him it would be in his control,” he said.
“He had a lot of love … he was close to his family, to mine and to so many people.
“I know I will never meet anyone like him ever again.”
Police are investigating the cause of the crash and have urged anyone with dash cam footage to come forward.