MAN DIES IN SMASH

A 25-YEAR-OLD Mackay man has died after a tragic three-car crash on the Bruce Highway yesterday.

Duty District Officer Senior Sergeant Joe Matheson said just before 11am, a Toyota Hilux ute towing a trailer crashed into two other cars north of the AIMS turnoff on the Bruce Highway.

“For some reason it (the Hilux) appears to have travelled on to the incorrect side of the road and clipped a boat that was being towed by another vehicle in convoy with a third vehicle behind it,” he said.

“As a result of the Hilux hitting the boat, the boat has then jackknifed and ... rolled into the scrub area off the road. The third (vehicle) following has then collided head-on with the utility.”

The 4WD towing the boat lay upside down off the side of the road with its tyres sticking up in the air.

The tinnie lay several metres from it, deeper in the bush.

Sgt Matheson said a doctor tried to resuscitate the passenger in the third car but he was unable to do so, with the man pronounced dead at the scene. The three male drivers of the cars, aged 26, 23 and 22 and another 23-year-old man, were taken to the Townsville Hospital in a stable condition.

The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the cause of the crash.

“The FCU (Forensic Crash Unit) will be making investigations and taking statements,” Sgt Matheson said.

“We also ask if any witnesses saw or have dashcam footage can they contact Policelink or CrimeStoppers and let us know.”

Sgt Matheson said the highway was closed for a couple of hours but diversions were put in place for drivers to travel along Majors Creek in Woodstock.

Police had closed off the Bruce Highway from the intersection of Allendale Drive, causing delays for motorists.