Fourth victim of horror crash on Capricorn Hwy in Queensland's Central Highlands identified
Corey Bietzel was returning home from a camping trip with his friend Shaun Ranger and Ranger's two children Baylee, 7, and Chandler, 6, when they were involved in a collision on the Capricorn Hwy, between Comet and Blackwater in the state's Central Highlands, just before 11am on Sunday.
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The group were travelling in a Holden Commodore towards Blackwater when it struck a Toyota Hilux ute driving in the opposite direction. All four were declared dead at the scene.
It is understood Ranger's fiancee, Renee Carla, was travelling in another car behind.
Carla has been left a single mother to the couple's youngest daughter, Saphora, 2.
Bietzel's family on Monday revealed he was also involved in the crash as they shared a touching tribute, describing him as a 'loving son, grandson, a devoted father, brother, cousin and friend'.
His cousin Taya-Marie Harper said he 'touched the hearts of many people and left an irreplaceable void' and the family are 'heartbroken over this unexpected loss'.
'Corey was loved and cherished by many and brought much joy and light to people's lives,' she said.
Harper has launched a GoFundMe to help support her family as they prepare to give Bietzel 'the send off he deserves'.
The tributes for Bietzel come after it was revealed earlier on Monday a family of five had been torn apart by the deaths of Ranger and his two children.
Chantel Semple, a friend of Carla's, said Baylee had a cheeky smile and a love for horses, while Chandler 'was a sweet and kind-hearted little boy' who enjoyed the outdoors.
'Shaun (was) a dedicated and selfless father, supportive friend and loving partner,' Semple said in a fundraiser she set up for the family.
'We are all very heartbroken over this unexpected loss and want to give them the send-off they deserve, a meaningful goodbye, surrounded by the people who love them.'
The two men inside the ute were both taken to hospital.
A 28-year-old man is in a serious but stable condition, while a 27-year-old man was airlifted to Brisbane and is fighting for life.
It is believed the pair had been travelling for work.
The Capricorn Hwy was closed in both directions for several hours while police remained at the scene.
The Holden was completely destroyed in the crash and the wreckage was left crumpled on the side of the highway while the ute had flipped onto its roof.
Inspector Ben Wiltshire said both of the vehicles had caught fire on impact.
He said it was a 'high-speed' crash but that the exact circumstances were still being investigated.
Wiltshire said the injuries the victims sustained were 'horrific'.
'There is a complex investigation that takes place for every fatal traffic accident and this was no exception,' he said.
'We need to conduct a thorough investigation before we make any decisions about charges.'
Wiltshire said the tragedy would reverberate throughout the entire Central Highlands community.
As a result of the accident, police will be ramping up traffic enforcement efforts throughout the region.
'This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of road safety,' Wiltshire said.
'These lives were cut short far too soon leaving families and loved ones to grapple with the unimaginable grief.'
Eleven people were killed on Queensland's roads over the weekend, including three teens who crashed into another car while trying to overtake a semi-trailer in Mackay on Friday night.
Two of the teens have been identified as T-Jay Petrass and Liam Doumergue, both 19, while a 19-year-old girl also travelling in their car was killed.
Also on Friday a 21-year-old girl was killed in a head-on collision in the Gympie Region, while a 26-year-old man died falling out of a car in Tamborine.
Police are also investigating after a car hit and killed an 18-year-old man lying on the road in the South Burnett region on Saturday morning.
Later that morning a 45-year-old motorbike rider died when he crashed into a trailer being towed by a ute in Mackay.
Wiltshire urged motorists to drive to the conditions and said a split-second decision could be a matter of life or death.
'Don't speed, drive to the conditions, avoid distractions and ensure that you're well rested before embarking on any long journey,' he said.
'Our families, our friends and our children are depending on you.'
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