Tragic loss of life so close to Christmas

IT’S what nightmares are made of. A 26-year-old Cairns man described by his mates as having a heart of gold was killed in a horror Bruce Hwy crash on Thursday. He had promised his girlfriend the best Christmas of her life, but didn’t return home. He was killed in a three-vehicle crash.

Jesse Rodman’s partner, Micayla Balsamo, spoke to the Cairns Post on Friday distraught and broken.

“He came into my life when I needed him the most and I had waited a lifetime to meet him and now he has been taken away,” she said.

“I just wanted more time, he was the love of my life.”

It’s a shocking tragedy for Micayla and Jesse’s family to have to deal with, especially so close to Christmas.

Judging from the outpouring of grief, we know that Jesse was a well-loved man who had an impact on so many and it’s important that his family and partner are looked after during such excruciating times.

While the circumstances of the crash remain unclear, and we are not suggesting anyone is at fault, as more people prepare to take to the roads in the lead up to the Christmas, it is important to drive the safety message home.

Police saturation and operations help ensure many people arrive to their destination safely, but there is only so much emergency services can do.

We know the impact road deaths have on loved ones, first responders, and communities.

That is heightened when tragedies occur in the lead up to the festive season.

If you are driving anywhere these holidays, do so safely. The last thing anyone wants is another family to have a seat spare at Christmas lunch.