The Courier mail.
Article from: Paula Doneman
July 05, 2009 06:55pm
LATEST: FRESH witness accounts have cast doubt on claims a motorist stole
vegetables from truck smash in which the driver was killed.
Police are continuing to probe the claims after witnesses came forward
disputing the story.
A man died when his truck rolled about 5.30am on Saturday on the Gateway
Motorway and the load of produce it was carrying spewed over the ground.
Police received reports of a man seen driving a silver Holden Commodore
utility who stole a small amount of produce at the scene while the driver
lay dying.
But a police spokeswoman said on Sunday more witnesses had come forward
with conflicting information.
"We've got other people saying, no, that's not right," she said.
The spokeswoman said new information suggested the man had rendered
assistance before leaving the scene.
"What we're doing is trying to get to the bottom of it," she said.
The 47-year-old married driver from Lowood, near Ipswich, was thrown
from the cab of his vehicle after it smashed into a guardrail and rolled on
the southbound lanes of the road at Eagle Farm.
The truck, which was coming from Bowen and headed for the Rocklea Markets,
skidded on its roof, crushing the cab and splitting open the tandem trailers.
Pallets of pumpkins and boxes of capsicums were strewn over the roadway.
Police want to speak with anyone who might have also seen the alleged incident.
They also plan to examine footage from traffic cameras along the road and at
the Gateway Bridge toll booth.
Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson earlier said if the theft claim
was correct, it was a "poor act".
He said if evidence was found that supported the claim and led to a suspect,
that person could be charged with stealing.
"On the face of it, it is a despicable act, particularly if assistance was required,"
he said.
RACQ spokesman Gary Fites said if the claim was proven true, he hoped the
incident was a rare and disappointing exception to the way most Queensland
motorists look out for each other.
"If it is true, it is pretty callous. It surprises me," he said.
"Everyone has a duty to render assistance to injured motorists until help
arrives."
Investigators are yet to determine the cause of the crash, which occurred in
an area where extensive roadworks are under way as part of the Gateway
road and bridge duplication.
Police said it appeared the truck failed to take a bend.
They are investigating whether fatigue or speed were involved.
Transport Workers Union Queensland secretary Hughie Williams
questioned whether the Gateway in its current state was suitable for
such B-double semi-trailers.
Yesterday's accident, which closed parts of the motorway for most of
yesterday, was the latest in a string of recent truck incidents on the road.
"I think it is OK for prime-movers but perhaps drivers of B-doubles
should take a different route," Mr Williams said.
- with AAP
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