KEY FINAL MOMENTS
Police seek witnesses before horror fatal crash
POLICE are investigating reports of erratic driving by one of the drivers killed in a horror head-on crash involving two trucks.
They are calling for witnesses on the Kennedy Highway before the smash involving two Blenners Transport trucks at Tichum Creek 10km east of Mareeba early on Thursday.
Police are seeking witnesses or dash-camera footage of a Blenners heavy rigid truck travelling towards Cairns from Mareeba prior to the crash about 7.30am.
It comes as one of the drivers has been named as Chris Kurz (right) of Innisfail. The other driver’s name has not been released.
Tributes are flowing for Mr Kurz.
ERRATIC driving before a horrific fatal head-on truck crash near Mareeba is being investigated by police.
The Cairns Post understands investigators have received information to suggest a Blenners Transport heavy rigid truck travelling towards Cairns from Mareeba was seen driving unpredictably before the smash about 7.30am on Thursday.
Police are calling for anyone with dashcam footage or anyone who can assist in any way to contact Crime Stoppers or Cairns Forensic Crash Unit on 4030 7174.
The crash has been described as the Far North’s worst in recent years.
“It will be a while before we have a clear picture as to what happened,” said Cairns Forensic Crash Unit Sgt Scott Ezard.
“Families have now been informed of the situation and investigations are continuing into potential causes.
“I’ve only spoken to one of the families to date and they’re looking for answers themselves as to why it happened.”
Chris Kurz of Innisfail was one of the drivers who died in the crash involving a refrigerated semi-trailer and a heavy rigid truck about 10km east of Mareeba.
A regular at the Mena Creek Hotel, Mr Kurz has been described as “a happy gentleman”. Hotel manager Peter Beardsley said the bush pub was sombre as news of the crash filtered in.
“Everybody here certainly knew him, there’s no doubt about that,” he said. “Most of the time he’d come through for a couple on his way home.
“He was a large heavy-set man with a large belly and a very jovial disposition.
“He was like Santa Claus – he looked like Santa and acted like Santa.”
Tributes have also flooded in through social media.
“Mena Creek lost a bloody good man, bless you my friend,” Sue Baxter wrote.
“Very sad to lose him,” Thresea Jankowski wrote.
Blenners Transport director Les Blennerhassett said the company was mourning the loss of two close friends, described as “men of great integrity and spirit”.
“First and foremost, our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with the families of both men and to the communities of Mareeba, Cairns, Innisfail and Tully where they were well known and loved,” he said.
“We will continue to provide our support to the ongoing investigation to find the cause of this accident.”
Mr Blennerhassett thanked all of those who had offered their support.
“We ask that our deeply saddened and grieving team is allowed to mourn with privacy,” he said.
“On behalf of the team, my wife Judy, our sons Roger and Ben, and myself, we would like to thank all for your thoughts at this time.”
Transport Workers’ Union Queensland branch secretary Peter Biagini said his thoughts were with those affected.
“Our condolence goes out to the family and friends of the two drivers,” he said.
“It’s a terrible accident that happens too often.”
A Workplace Health and Safety Queensland spokesman said the department was not investigating the crash.
EVERYBODY HERE CERTAINLY KNEW HIM ... HE’D COME THROUGH FOR A COUPLE ON HIS HOME ... HE WAS A LARGE MAN WITH A VERY JOVIAL DISPOSITION MENA CREEK HOTEL MANAGER PETER BEARDSLEY