A 54-year-old female rider has died after being hit by a car allegedly turning on to the Kennedy Highway from Malone Road, Mareeba about 8am on 2 December 2019.
Police are investigating the circumstances of the fatal traffic crash.
Our original story featured a 2019 dated-stamped Google Maps image showing a stop sign at the end of Malone Rd.
However, the intersection was updated in 2015 and the road widened to allow for traffic turning left with a give way sign.
The female rider was taken to Mareeba Hospital in a critical condition where she later died.
Our sincere condolences to the rider’s family and friends.
The 63-year-old female driver of the car suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash.
The Forensic Crash Unit is continuing investigations and there is no word about any charges. It is not know if the rider was turning or indicating.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads say they are also investigating the crash.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
Ride like you’re invisible
The accident is a sobering reminder that we have to ride as if no other motorist can see us. As if we are invisible.
It can be worse than Sorry Mate I Didn’t See You … it can be a case of Sorry Mate I Forgot I Saw You.
The phenomenon was discovered in a University of Nottingham study into crashes where drivers failed to give way to motorcycles.
Basically they say drivers see riders, but their short-term memory forgets.
The result is they pull out in front of the rider, resulting in a crash, often with dire consequences for the rider.
The uni researchers said drivers are five times more likely to forget seeing a motorcycle than a car.