Elderly pair killed in rural highway intersection crash with caravan
A man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s both died at the intersection of the Kennedy Hwy and Malanda Atherton Rd in Atherton, about 90-minutes southwest of Cairns, on Thursday.
The elderly pair had been travelling in a Toyota Landcruiser when they collided with a Subaru towing a caravan at about 11.45pm.
Emergency services treated the elderly man and woman at the scene, but were unable to save them.
It is understood the occupants of the Subaru were unharmed.
Netizens familiar with the intersection commented on its danger in a local Facebook community group after the incident.
'That can be a busy intersection and oncoming traffic approaches fast. Afternoon sun can also be a hazard. I'm heartbroken,' one person wrote.
'Perhaps it's time for some traffic lights. There are too many accidents happening. So many spots that would benefit from traffic lights ... I myself was in a three-car pile-up in Atherton also ... traffic lights could have prevented that,' another wrote.
'They need to put in an extra two lanes ... so people can pull out of there and just keep going ... one should start at the Mobil and come down so you turn straight into (Atherton) Malanda Rd, so easy — then we won't have this stuff happening. Poor people. RIP, so sad,' another person wrote.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
20 hours ago
- West Australian
'Aggrieved' sextortionist of 49 teens wants out of jail
A pedophile who catfished 49 boys, blackmailing them into sending him lewd images and videos has sought court help to return to the community. Kurtis Whaley, 29, was hit with a maximum jail sentence of almost 10 years in May 2020 after admitting to posing as a 16-year-old Perth girl and persuading his victims to send him explicit material. He chatted with the teenage boys online, covertly saving the material to blackmail the victims later into sending more explicit photos or videos. His non-parole period of six years and four months expired on June 19. But six days earlier, a delegate of Commonwealth Attorney-General Michelle Rowland denied his release. Whaley claims he was "aggrieved" by the decision in a Federal Court case filed earlier in July. "His interests are adversely affected by the decision, having been denied parole," court documents seen by AAP say. The 29-year-old alleges Ms Rowland improperly exercised her powers by denying him parole without considering one of its purposes: reintegration into the community. The Federal Court has been asked to quash the original decision and to send the matter back to the attorney-general to be reconsidered. A spokesman for Ms Rowland declined to explain why parole had been refused or comment on the court case. "The Albanese government is committed to ensuring the safety of the community," he said. When Whaley was sentenced in May 2020, NSW District Court Judge Ian Bourke found he engaged in a "premeditated system of intimidation" to entice his victims to share further explicit material. He clearly and cleverly tricked victims into supplying pictures of their faces "to enslave them ... to satisfy his perverted sexual desires," the judge wrote in his decision. If his blackmailing demands were not met, he then shared what he had with those close to the victims, including their underage friends and siblings. The conduct was "nothing short of cruel and merciless," Judge Bourke wrote. The offending began in 2014 on Skype and video chat site Omegle before Whaley turned to Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram, where he was able to exploit his victims' close relationships. Boys tricked into complying with Whaley's demands came from areas including Victoria, NSW and Queensland, as well as New Zealand and the United States. Whaley's challenge against the parole decision has not been allocated a hearing date. His full jail sentence will expire on August 19, 2028. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Lifeline 13 11 14 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
Perth Now
21 hours ago
- Perth Now
'Aggrieved' sextortionist of 49 teens wants out of jail
A pedophile who catfished 49 boys, blackmailing them into sending him lewd images and videos has sought court help to return to the community. Kurtis Whaley, 29, was hit with a maximum jail sentence of almost 10 years in May 2020 after admitting to posing as a 16-year-old Perth girl and persuading his victims to send him explicit material. He chatted with the teenage boys online, covertly saving the material to blackmail the victims later into sending more explicit photos or videos. His non-parole period of six years and four months expired on June 19. But six days earlier, a delegate of Commonwealth Attorney-General Michelle Rowland denied his release. Whaley claims he was "aggrieved" by the decision in a Federal Court case filed earlier in July. "His interests are adversely affected by the decision, having been denied parole," court documents seen by AAP say. The 29-year-old alleges Ms Rowland improperly exercised her powers by denying him parole without considering one of its purposes: reintegration into the community. The Federal Court has been asked to quash the original decision and to send the matter back to the attorney-general to be reconsidered. A spokesman for Ms Rowland declined to explain why parole had been refused or comment on the court case. "The Albanese government is committed to ensuring the safety of the community," he said. When Whaley was sentenced in May 2020, NSW District Court Judge Ian Bourke found he engaged in a "premeditated system of intimidation" to entice his victims to share further explicit material. He clearly and cleverly tricked victims into supplying pictures of their faces "to enslave them ... to satisfy his perverted sexual desires," the judge wrote in his decision. If his blackmailing demands were not met, he then shared what he had with those close to the victims, including their underage friends and siblings. The conduct was "nothing short of cruel and merciless," Judge Bourke wrote. The offending began in 2014 on Skype and video chat site Omegle before Whaley turned to Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram, where he was able to exploit his victims' close relationships. Boys tricked into complying with Whaley's demands came from areas including Victoria, NSW and Queensland, as well as New Zealand and the United States. Whaley's challenge against the parole decision has not been allocated a hearing date. His full jail sentence will expire on August 19, 2028. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Lifeline 13 11 14 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
Needles reportedly spotted at Horseshoe beach amid ongoing clean-up
Needles have been spotted on Horseshoe beach amid the ongoing clean-up of the surrounding area. Novocastrians reportedly stumbled upon what looked like discarded needles along the waterfront last week. While Transport for NSW said they weren't aware of needle waste specifically, they were working with Maritime Environmental Services to arrange a clean-up of the beach and surrounding waterfront areas around Newcastle Harbour as soon as possible. A spokesperson for TfNSW said they planned to alert the appropriate authorities about needle wastage in the area. "The amenity and cleanliness of Transport assets is a top priority," the spokesperson said. "Horseshoe beach was impacted by recent severe weather, resulting in debris, such as logs and sticks, washing up on the sand," they said. "Members of the public are reminded not to touch or pick up needles." TfNSW has been cleaning up the beach car park and nearby dunes after the area had become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and was apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there. Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said he was aware of the community's concerns and was pushing for the clean-up of the area to be expedited. "TfNSW have been conducting a progressive clean of this area, with officers making multiple trips to the site this week and very regularly over the last few months," Mr Crakanthorp said. Following the removal of some vans and the relocation of others who have been long-term in the car park, TfNSW has completed a clean-up in the car park and is progressively working through adjacent spaces," he said. In a Facebook post last week, Mr Crakanthorp said the issue was complex, as many of the people occupying Horseshoe beach were homeless. "Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers at Horseshoe Beach with appropriate housing," he said. The federal MP encouraged people to report all needle waste to the Needle Clean up Hotline at 1800 633 353. Needles have been spotted on Horseshoe beach amid the ongoing clean-up of the surrounding area. Novocastrians reportedly stumbled upon what looked like discarded needles along the waterfront last week. While Transport for NSW said they weren't aware of needle waste specifically, they were working with Maritime Environmental Services to arrange a clean-up of the beach and surrounding waterfront areas around Newcastle Harbour as soon as possible. A spokesperson for TfNSW said they planned to alert the appropriate authorities about needle wastage in the area. "The amenity and cleanliness of Transport assets is a top priority," the spokesperson said. "Horseshoe beach was impacted by recent severe weather, resulting in debris, such as logs and sticks, washing up on the sand," they said. "Members of the public are reminded not to touch or pick up needles." TfNSW has been cleaning up the beach car park and nearby dunes after the area had become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and was apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there. Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said he was aware of the community's concerns and was pushing for the clean-up of the area to be expedited. "TfNSW have been conducting a progressive clean of this area, with officers making multiple trips to the site this week and very regularly over the last few months," Mr Crakanthorp said. Following the removal of some vans and the relocation of others who have been long-term in the car park, TfNSW has completed a clean-up in the car park and is progressively working through adjacent spaces," he said. In a Facebook post last week, Mr Crakanthorp said the issue was complex, as many of the people occupying Horseshoe beach were homeless. "Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers at Horseshoe Beach with appropriate housing," he said. The federal MP encouraged people to report all needle waste to the Needle Clean up Hotline at 1800 633 353. Needles have been spotted on Horseshoe beach amid the ongoing clean-up of the surrounding area. Novocastrians reportedly stumbled upon what looked like discarded needles along the waterfront last week. While Transport for NSW said they weren't aware of needle waste specifically, they were working with Maritime Environmental Services to arrange a clean-up of the beach and surrounding waterfront areas around Newcastle Harbour as soon as possible. A spokesperson for TfNSW said they planned to alert the appropriate authorities about needle wastage in the area. "The amenity and cleanliness of Transport assets is a top priority," the spokesperson said. "Horseshoe beach was impacted by recent severe weather, resulting in debris, such as logs and sticks, washing up on the sand," they said. "Members of the public are reminded not to touch or pick up needles." TfNSW has been cleaning up the beach car park and nearby dunes after the area had become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and was apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there. Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said he was aware of the community's concerns and was pushing for the clean-up of the area to be expedited. "TfNSW have been conducting a progressive clean of this area, with officers making multiple trips to the site this week and very regularly over the last few months," Mr Crakanthorp said. Following the removal of some vans and the relocation of others who have been long-term in the car park, TfNSW has completed a clean-up in the car park and is progressively working through adjacent spaces," he said. In a Facebook post last week, Mr Crakanthorp said the issue was complex, as many of the people occupying Horseshoe beach were homeless. "Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers at Horseshoe Beach with appropriate housing," he said. The federal MP encouraged people to report all needle waste to the Needle Clean up Hotline at 1800 633 353. Needles have been spotted on Horseshoe beach amid the ongoing clean-up of the surrounding area. Novocastrians reportedly stumbled upon what looked like discarded needles along the waterfront last week. While Transport for NSW said they weren't aware of needle waste specifically, they were working with Maritime Environmental Services to arrange a clean-up of the beach and surrounding waterfront areas around Newcastle Harbour as soon as possible. A spokesperson for TfNSW said they planned to alert the appropriate authorities about needle wastage in the area. "The amenity and cleanliness of Transport assets is a top priority," the spokesperson said. "Horseshoe beach was impacted by recent severe weather, resulting in debris, such as logs and sticks, washing up on the sand," they said. "Members of the public are reminded not to touch or pick up needles." TfNSW has been cleaning up the beach car park and nearby dunes after the area had become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and was apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there. Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said he was aware of the community's concerns and was pushing for the clean-up of the area to be expedited. "TfNSW have been conducting a progressive clean of this area, with officers making multiple trips to the site this week and very regularly over the last few months," Mr Crakanthorp said. Following the removal of some vans and the relocation of others who have been long-term in the car park, TfNSW has completed a clean-up in the car park and is progressively working through adjacent spaces," he said. In a Facebook post last week, Mr Crakanthorp said the issue was complex, as many of the people occupying Horseshoe beach were homeless. "Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers at Horseshoe Beach with appropriate housing," he said. The federal MP encouraged people to report all needle waste to the Needle Clean up Hotline at 1800 633 353.
