Nanango, Queensland – A tragic accident on the D’Aguilar Highway has left a Queensland community devastated after a couple and their adult son lost their lives in a fatal crash. The incident occurred early morning near Nanango, approximately 100 kilometers west of the Sunshine Coast.
The South Burnett couple, Robert and Margaret Wheeler, along with their son Steven, were involved in a collision with a B-double that resulted in their untimely deaths. The driver of the molasses truck, a 52-year-old man, sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital in stable condition.
Local authorities, including Brisbane and Toowoomba investigators, have joined forces to uncover the circumstances leading to the tragic crash. With no surveillance cameras at the intersection and wet conditions on the highway, the investigation heavily relies on eyewitness accounts to piece together what happened that fateful morning.
South Burnett Councillor Jane Erkens expressed the community’s profound sorrow, emphasizing the need for road safety measures to prevent further tragedies. The affected section of the D’Aguilar Highway was temporarily closed, causing traffic disruptions as police redirected vehicles to alternate routes.
As the community mourns the loss of three beloved individuals from the same family, authorities urge anyone with relevant information, dashcam footage, or CCTV recordings to come forward and assist in the investigation. The absence of clear surveillance footage underscores the importance of eyewitness testimonies to shed light on the sequence of events that led to the fatal collision.
In a region plagued by road fatalities, the tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of practicing caution and vigilance while navigating Queensland’s highways. The heartfelt condolences of many in the community go out to the Wheeler family, a reminder of the fragility of life and the need for improved safety measures on the roads to prevent such heartbreaking losses in the future.