General News
24 October, 2019
Horror year on Far North roads
THERE were yet another two fatal motor vehicle accidents on the Tablelands over the past fortnight, further adding to what has been a terrible year on our roads.
THERE were yet another two fatal motor vehicle accidents on the Tablelands over the past fortnight, further adding to what has been a terrible year on our roads.
William “Billy” Harris, 18, was the passenger in a Hyundai i30 when it rolled whilst overtaking a truck at Millstream on Friday, October 11.
His loss had a ripple-effect throughout the Tablelands community, as Billy was a wellknown and popular young man whose passing saw an outpouring of tributes from friends and family on social media.
That tragedy was compounded last week as the Tablelands saw another fatal motor vehicle accident within days, as 54-yearold man Stewart Pinder was pronounced deceased at the scene after being in an accident whilst riding his Harley along Middle Creek Road, Mutchilba.
The Forensic Crash Unit (FCU) are continuing their investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
Tablelands Patrol Group Inspector Russell Rhodes responded to the fatal accident in Mutchilba.
“It’s extremely sad and unfortunate, and as the Tablelands Patrol Group we have to put a priority on road safety,” Inspector Rhodes said.
“We’ll try and be as fair and reasonable as possible to our drivers, but we will do everything to ensure road safety and less fatal accidents.”
Inspector Rhodes is also a Harley enthusiast and knew Mr Pinder personally, and he noted the impact he had on his community.
“I’ve been a long-term Harley rider and I met this gentleman on a number of occasions,” he said.
“He was an integral member of the Veterans Motorcycle Club and he will be sorely missed.”
The two most recent deaths increases this year’s road fatalities in Far North Queensland to 23, compared to 18 at the same time last year.
