DRIVER’S DEATH WISH
Police probe chilling cause of fatal crash
Officers investigate whether man who died in high-speed highway collision deliberately drove into campervan
A MAN killed in a horror car smash may have deliberately slammed his car into an oncoming campervan in a highspeed collision which left four others, including two infant children, in hospital.
Police say the closing speed of both vehicles was estimated to be more than 250km/h.
The 51-year-old Mareeba man’s Mitsubishi Lancer and the Fiat Sunliner collided on the Kennedy Highway just south of Mareeba about 11.30am yesterday.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, while the 63-yearold female van driver had to be cut free by firefighters and flown by rescue helicopter to Cairns Hospital in a critical but stable condition.
It is understood the Cassowary Coast woman faces a lengthy recovery.
Forensic crash investigator Sgt Scott Ezard said the speed was so great the back of both vehicles lifted off the ground.
He said a four-wheel drive carrying a 25-year-old mother and her children, aged 1 and 3, travelling behind the van had its roof sheered off when it hit the underside of the van.
“It is ridiculous that some- one has acted in this way to put so many people in harm’s way,” Sgt Ezard said.
“We’re extremely disappointed that again we’re in a situation where we are putting a person in the mortuary and having to tell loved ones that they’ve lost the life of a person that could have been prevented. And the trauma for those young children is horrific.”
The man is the 13th person to die on Far North roads within 13 weeks and the 18th this year. It comes just three days after a woman and two young children from Doomadgee were killed in fiery crash south of Burketown in northwest Queensland.
A 59-year-old male motor- bike rider is also recovering in hospital with a fractured leg and hip after he and a car collided on the Tully Mission Beach Rd at Birkalla yesterday.
Sgt Ezard said the ongoing dangerous actions of some motorists was frustrating police.
“But we’d like to thank those who are doing the right thing and ask if you see someone driving in a dangerous manner, please report it to police,” he said. If you need help call Lifeline on 13 11 44 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.