Fatality shakes up road users

A SHAKEN mother and daughter have labelled an intersection where a fatal crash occurred in the Far North yesterday as dangerous.

A 90-year-old Gordonvale man died after colliding head on with a truck near the corner of the Bruce Highway and Maitland Rd just north of the small township yesterday morning.

Initial reports suggest he was travelling northbound on the highway behind three cars and failed to slow when the lead car turned left into Maitland Rd, clipping the car in front and crossing into oncoming traffic.

Gordonvale residents Miriam and Sarah Hocking, who stopped at the scene, said they travelled the road frequently and had seen multiple nearmisses at the intersection.

Miriam said the most dangerous aspect was when motorists had to turn right from Maitland Rd across the four-lane section of the highway during peak hour.

“You’re chancing your own life when you come out on the highway, especially turning right,” she said. “It’s getting a lot worse.” Sarah, 17, said yesterday’s crash was heartbreaking.

“Seeing that made me want to break into tears. I feel sorry for those people,” she said.

The entire section of highway between Edmonton and Gordonvale will be increased to four lanes as part of Stage 3 of the Bruce Highway upgrade, which is due to begin early next year.

An overpass is set to be installed over Maitland Rd area, which will negate the need to turn directly onto the highway.

Division 1 councillor Brett Moller said he had never received any public complaints about the intersection, but was well aware of it.

“It can be a difficult intersection depending on the volume of traffic,” he said.

“There are farms and the quarry up that road.”

“(The highway upgrade) should alleviate all safety concerns.”

YOU’RE CHANCING YOUR OWN LIFE WHEN YOU COME OUT ON THE HIGHWAY, ESPECIALLY TURNING RIGHT. IT’S GETTING A LOT WORSE.

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