Family and community devastated after Marcus Haworth, respected volunteer firefighter, killed in motorbike accident while promoting road safety
A well-respected 'kind and selfless' volunteer firefighter has tragically died after his motorbike was struck by a ute while taking part in a campaign to raise awareness about motorcycle safety.
Marcus Haworth, a 50-year-old Queenslander from Bucca, was riding his 2010 Harley-Davidson motorbike when it collided with a ute towing a trailer on Cedar Rd, near the Cedars Bridge in South Bingera about 9.50am on Saturday.
Haworth died at the scene, while the driver and passenger of the 2019 Holden Colorado were not injured.
7NEWS.com.au understands Haworth was participating in a motorcycle safety campaign at the time of the crash.
The initiative, called Lap4Luvo, was created to honour Steve Loveland — a Bundaberg volunteer firefighter who lost his life in a motorcycle accident in July 2024.
It involves a motorbike tour around Australia, with riders carrying Loveland's memory and continuing his passion for motorcycling.
'This lap of Oz is to heighten motorcycle safety and awareness — taking Luvo with us,' said Kevin Loveland, Steve's brother and campaign founder, in a post on social media.
Shocked by the tragedy, Loveland paused the event.
'To happen at any time is a huge tragedy but to happen at an event to promote motorcycle safety just adds to the devastation,' he said.
Loveland told 7NEWS.com.au Haworth had only joined the ride on Saturday morning and the two had shared a brief conversation about their shared passion for motorbikes shortly before the crash.
He saved homes and lives as a Bundaberg volunteer firefighter now his heartbroken family are taking on a major challenge in his memory.
Haworth's sister, Jacinta Haworth, said the family was shattered by the loss.
'We're all very devastated at the loss of my little brother,' she said.
Jacinta told 7NEWS.com.au Haworth was a dedicated volunteer with both the SES and the rural fire brigade, and had only recently been honoured for his service earlier this month.
'He was a very kind and selfless man,' she said.
Haworth, who leaves behind two sons aged 17 and 19, was described as 'very family devoted'.
'He was a great father to his two boys, a very loving husband — he absolutely adored his wife,' Jacinta said.
'They had a great respect for road safety on their motorbikes — they both rode motorbikes.
'He was just a nature-loving, fun guy to be around.'
Tributes have flowed online, with family, friends, and colleagues remembering Haworth as a 'true hero' and an 'amazing and loved man'.
'My youngest brother — taken from us way too soon. We are all heartbroken,' one family member wrote.
Others recalled Haworth as a respected and dedicated volunteer.
'Very well liked and respected by my son and all Marcus's fellow volunteer colleagues over the years. Condolences to all the family and his sons,' one tribute read.
Chambers Flat Rural Fire Brigade, where Haworth was once an active member, told 7NEWS.com.au the news came as a shock.
'He will be sadly missed,' a spokesperson said.
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