Community in mourning as heroic firefighter killed during motorcycle safety ride
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. Marcus Haworth (left) and his wife (middle) both shared a love for motorbikes. Credit: Jacinta Haworth
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. The Lap4Luvo initiative was launched to honour Steve Loveland, a Bundaberg volunteer firefighter who tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident in July 2024. Credit: Kevin Loveland He saved homes and lives as a Bundaberg volunteer firefighter now his heartbroken family are taking on a major challenge in his memory.
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.
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.' The incident occurred near the sharp bend on Cedar Rd. Credit: Google Maps
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
3 days ago
- 7NEWS
New winter fire safety warning as Sydney couple faces rebuild after blaze destroys home
A mother who dragged her husband to safety from a devastating blaze — which has sparked new warnings over fire safety — is a 'brave' woman who 'won't ever back down,' according to their son. Maria Charalambous, 68, was taking a shower early Friday morning when a fire broke out in the bedroom where her husband Nick, 82, was sleeping. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Bonnyrigg bungalow destroyed by fire. 'I pulled his legs. I said, 'Come on, wake up, wake up, there is a fire,'' Maria recalled. Authorities say the situation could have turned into an 'absolute tragedy' if Maria had not been awake at the time, as the fire spread rapidly throughout the home. Their son, Nikos, said he was in shock but not surprised by his mother's heroic actions at the Bonnyrigg Heights property in Sydney, where the couple has lived for more than 30 years. 'She's a small lady, but she's so brave,' he told 'She's tough. She won't ever back down. I'm really proud of her.' The blaze is believed to have been caused by an electric heater plugged into a wall outlet. Nick had left the heater running overnight to keep their dogs warm. Four of the couple's beloved dogs managed to escape, but tragically, three were lost in the fire. No smoke alarm sounded, as it had been turned off. Flames completely destroyed the family home, along with irreplaceable memories — including photographs, videos, and other treasured possessions. 'Everything was just gone in a second,' Nikos said. 'My parents are going back to the house every day, trying to salvage what they can. They're trying to keep busy. There's no set plan at the moment.' In another heartbreaking blow, the couple had recently cancelled their home insurance as a cost-saving measure. Nikos hopes his parents' ordeal serves as a warning to others. 'When you hear stories like this, you never think it will happen to you — but it can,' he said. He also condemned the 'disgusting' online trolls who have targeted his family in the wake of the tragedy. Fortunately, his parents are not on social media and have been shielded from most of the negativity. 'It's so sad that my parents are in this position,' he said. 'They've just lost their home — something they've worked their whole lives for. The cruel comments are not needed. We wouldn't wish this on anyone.' Nikos has since launched a GoFundMe campaign to help his parents get back on their feet. Winter warning Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said there has been a rise in dangerous fires as winter sets in — prompting renewed warnings. He stressed the importance of keeping electric heaters at least one metre away from flammable objects and recommended switching them off overnight. 'The first line of defence in an emergency is a smoke alarm that is less than 10 years old,' Dewberry told He added that in nearly half of house fire emergencies, smoke alarms are either non-compliant or not installed correctly. 'Know the risks. Don't overload power boards, test electric blankets, be careful with heat packs, and don't leave food unattended on stovetops,' he said. NSW authorities have also issued a separate warning about the dangers of hot foods and liquids, particularly for children. In 2024, more than 400 children required specialised medical care for scalds caused by accidental spills. An additional 48 children suffered contact burns from hot surfaces like stoves, cooktops, and barbecues. 'It's crucial to remember that hot food and drinks, which may feel safe for an adult, can cause serious burns to a child,' said Torey Lawrence, head of burns at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. 'Children's skin is much thinner than adults', and even a small amount of hot liquid can result in deep, severe burns. 'Burns injuries can cause both life-long injuries and scarring. These can have a lasting impact on a child's physical, social, emotional and mental wellbeing.' What to do if someone is burned
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Perth Now
Missing teen's mum hits back at online trolls
The mother of missing teenager Phoebe Bishop has hit back at vile social media comments, following an appeal to the public alongside police to help find her daughter. Kylie Johnson appeared in a video appeal urging anyone who had seen a grey Hyundai ix35 - which her daughter Pheobe was reportedly travelling in before she disappeared - to contact police. But after vile comments began appearing on the video, Ms Johnson took matters into her own hands. In a post on her Facebook account, she hit back at the trolls who were attacking her tone and demeanour. 'I'm sorry that I'm currently an emotional wreck, trying to protect our other children from the media and the trolls, trying to continue to breathe while your world shatters around you!,' she posted on Saturday. Ms Johnson's daughter, 17-year-old Phoebe Bishop, has been missing since May 15, when the teenager failed to board a flight at Bundaberg Airport. Phoebe Bishop was last seen alive in Bundaberg on May 15. Supplied Credit: Supplied She had been scheduled to fly to Western Australia. Supplied Credit: Supplied After searching bushland in the regional Queensland city, police put out a video statement read by Ms Johnson over the weekend, where the mother pleads for information. After the police statement was published online, commenters began to criticise the way Ms Johnson spoke and her demeanour. 'People wanted a statement, they got one yet still question me as a mother?,' Ms Johnson posted afterwards. 'If anyone would like to be in this position please step in and show me how to do this? Show me what a perfect parent looks like' she said, defending herself. 'Show me how to navigate this? Show me how to deal with the unknown and the uncertainty? Show me how to use perfect language and emotion in a situation that no parent ever wants to be in.' Police posted a video of Kylie Johnson appealing for information on the weekend. Queensland Police Credit: Supplied Ms Johnson has posted daily about the search for Phoebe, and acknowledges she has left her social media accounts open to the public to maintain awareness of her missing daughter, despite rife and derogatory comments from members of the public. 'My posts aren't public to defend myself or react to negative comments. In fact negative comments also draw conversations and that's what we as a family need to bring Phee home,' she posted last week. Police and SES crews searched Good Night Scrub National Park looking for the missing 17 year old Pheobe Bishop. Adam Head Credit: News Corp Australia 'Hell I will take any conversation if it has my baby walking down our driveway or calling any of us. 'So please don't be mad at the trolls. They have a role to play just like the amazing people who honestly just want our Phoebe home.' Phoebe was last seen on May 15, travelling toward Bundaberg Airport. Her housemates told police they drove Phoebe to the airport in a grey Hyundai ix35 for her 8.30am flight. But Phoebe did not enter the airport. Police have searched their house and charged the flatmates with unrelated weapon possession charges.
Daily Telegraph
4 days ago
- Daily Telegraph
Two men rescued after paragliding mishaps in Sydney, NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News. A paraglider is 'lucky to be alive' following a gruelling five-hour rescue after crashing into a cliff on the south coast of Sydney on Saturday afternoon. Paolo, a man in his 50s collided into a cliff near Otford Rd at Stanwell Tops about 1pm on Saturday, before plunging down 10 metres and injuring his shoulder. The five-hour rescue operation was conducted as a joint effort between the NSW Police Rescue, SES crews, specialist paramedics and Fire and Rescue NSW, to stabilise and hoist Paolo up the cliff face and through intense bushland to safety. 'I'm so grateful to have this amazing team, they are incredible and yeah, I'll be fine,' Paolo said, while atop a rescue stretcher. 'It was my mistake actually, I did some move. 'Everybody knows where I was, so I was just calm and waited for the rescue'. A paraglider stuck on a perilous cliff face has been rescued. The man in his 50s crashed into the cliff near Otford Rd at Stanwell Tops, on the south coast of NSW, about 1pm on Saturday. Picture: 7News The injured Paolo was taken in a stable condition to St George Hospital about 6pm, by paramedics. 7News reports the authorities thought Paolo would be in a much more serious condition with a rescue chopper arriving to airlift him, but he was instead transported by road to hospital to treat his shoulder injury. Paolo said he 'can't wait to get out there and get paragliding again very soon'. A paraglider stuck on a perilous cliff face has been rescued. The man in his 50s crashed into the cliff near Otford Rd at Stanwell Tops, on the south coast of NSW, about 1pm on Saturday. Picture: 7News In a separate incident, another man was rescued Sunday morning after a 13-hour operation in the Southern Highlands. Emergency services responded to reports a man had fallen four metres onto rocks at the base of Funnels Creek Waterfall at 2pm on Saturday. Police were told a 24-year-old man was with a group of friends and was climbing the 8m ledge before jumping into a Rockpool. The 24-year-old was found to be conscious but suffering injuries to his head, right shoulder and left ankle. The man was retrieved by vertical rope lift when it was determined he could not be winched out by helicopter. A joint effort was conducted with a helicopter transporting a medical crew to the scene to stabilise the man before the retrieval operation was commenced with the police Rescue, NSW ambulance paramedics, and SES members. In the early hours of Sunday, at 3am, the man was successfully extricated and was taken by road ambulance to Goulburn Base Hospital in a stable condition.
