IRONIC TWIST TO DAD’S DEATH
EX-BIG RIG DRIVER KILLED BY SEMI-TRAILER
A MOUNT Louisa man who was tragically killed when he clipped the trailer of a truck while riding his pushbike has been remembered by his family as a devoted father.
Ironically, James Duncombe, 45, drove trucks himself over several decades. He was killed when he reportedly misjudged traffic while cycling across Duckworth St and collided with a passing semi-trailer.
Long-time friend Lorry Matheson said Mr Duncombe, who was a full-time carer for her disabled son, would be deeply missed by his sons.
“He was everything … I still don’t believe he is gone. It hasn’t really hit me,” she said.
She said she would struggle with life without him.
AN ex-truckie has been remembered by family as a devoted father in the days after he was killed in an “ironic” tragedy involving a truck.
James Duncombe, 45, was killed on Wednesday afternoon when he reportedly misjudged traffic while cycling across Duckworth St and collided with a passing semitrailer.
The Mount Louisa man clipped the trailer of the truck as he was attempting to cross the busy road about 1.20pm on his pushbike.
Long-time friend Lorryl Matheson said Mr Duncombe had become a father figure to her children, and would be deeply missed by his sons. Mr Duncombe was a full-time carer for Ms Matheson’s disabled son and a rock in her life.
“He was everything … I still don’t believe he is gone. It hasn’t really hit me,” she said.
The 37-year-old truck driver carrying the load Mr Duncombe hit was uninjured in the incident.
He was unaware of what happened for about 30 minutes after the impact, but drove to the police station as soon as he realised.
He has not been charged. Eastern Patrol Group Inspector Glenn Doyle said the impact on the truck would have been slight.
Mr Duncombe was a truck driver for decades and a “ratbag” to a heartbroken Ms Matheson, who said she would struggle with life without him.
Mr Duncombe was the second person to die on Townsville roads in less than 24 hours earlier this week, with 20-year-old Natalie Merritt killed in a truck collision at Black River on Tuesday night.
Townsville District Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon said people needed to be careful on the roads in a timely reminder on Fatality Free Friday yesterday.
“Everyone in our community uses the roads, whether they’re a driver of a vehicle, a passenger, a cyclist, or a pedestrian, and currently there’s nine people that have died on Townsville roads this year,” he said.
“We’ve had two fatalities from the last week so can I please encourage people to take time in their journeys and concentrate on the roads.”
HE WAS EVERYTHING … I STILL DON’T BELIEVE HE IS GONE. IT HASN’T REALLY HIT ME LORRYL MATHESON