Investigation into man’s road death

THE Far North forensic crash unit is looking into whether a medical condition caused a man to veer off a Cooktown road into a tree, resulting in his death.

Investigations are ongoing into the circumstances that led to a 63-year-old Hope Vale man being killed in a single-vehicle crash in the remote region on Wednesday.

Police were called to the Cooktown Mcivor River Rd on Wednesday afternoon where they located an SUV in bushland.

Officers at the scene tried to revive the driver before ambulance crews responded, with the crash involving the man’s vehicle hitting a tree.

Acting inspector Andrew Cowie, who leads the country northern control group that patrols the Hope Vale area, said the exact cause was still unknown but the possibility of a medical condition involving the deceased could not be ruled out.

“At the moment the cause is unknown but we are investigating whether it was a medical reason that caused him to leave the road,” he said.

“Officers attempted to revive the person at the scene.

“Responding to these incidents are always difficult. It’s a tragedy.”

Acting Insp Cowie said motorists needed to remain vigilant on all roads, especially remote regions where wildlife can be a factor.

“It’s another reminder to be mindful and vigilant,” he said.

“You need to be paying attention all the time, no matter how familiar you are with the roads.”

Emergency crews responded to two separate crashes on the Kennedy Highway on Thursday afternoon.

Two vehicles collided near Mareeba about 1.40pm.

Two people were taken to Mareeba Hospital in stable conditions.

Earlier on the same highway, a semi-trailer rolled off the road between Mt Garnet and Forty Mile Scrub.