Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Airlie Accident Causes Chaos

The entire Greater Airlie Beach area was brought to a standstill last Thursday following a once in a generation, freak accident where a semi-trailer span off the road in wet conditions, slamming into power poles which then ricocheted across the road, completely preventing any traffic from passing by for over six hours.

The incident took place at 11am on Thursday, April 21 directly opposite Whitsunday Green Golf Course and near to the Whitsunday Transit bus depot on Shute Harbour Road.

Due to electrical wires traversing the road and laying upon the vehicle, it took some time to free the driver and the road was not opened until 7pm.

At this point the build-up of traffic had reached as far back as Mount Marlow near Proserpine and in the other direction it extended as far as Whitsunday Shopping Centre in Cannonvale – a total of about 10 kilometres.

Initially only one lane was re-opened, and it took until 10.30pm that night for all accumulated traffic to pass.

Proserpine Highschool students and some primary school students who live in Airlie Beach, Cannonvale and Jubilee Pocket were stranded on the other side of the incident, their buses unable to leave the Cannonvale depot and parents unable to pick them up.

During this time, kind volunteers, local schools and teachers all banded together to help students get comfortable while they endured the six-hour wait.

Pop-up sausage sizzles fed the hungry and a movie screening kept them entertained, meanwhile worried parents were appeased by regular communication from the schools, friends, and updates via social media throughout the event.

As soon as the road opened, Whitsunday Transit bus drivers were ready to leave Cannonvale and make the long trip to the respective schools before starting their drop-offs around 10pm instead of the usual 4pm.

Darren Crossley from Whitsunday Transit said he was incredibly proud of the whole Whitsunday Transit team.

“Our entire team from operations staff, office staff, workshop staff and of course our incredible driving team went above and beyond to ensure every child was transported home safely,” he said.

An incredible outpouring of thanks was also given by the community to school teachers who had stayed to look after children, as well as emergency services, Ergon Energy workers and of course the patient motorists who endured a long wait.

“We live in a region where we experience weather events, challenges with access and at times we feel the practical reality of the lack of equitable infrastructure,” said Member for Whitsunday, Amanda Camm.

“At times in life things just happen that are beyond our control - what is for sure is that as a community we band together.”

The scene of the accident: the jack-knifed semi-trailer in Cannonvale at 11am

Ergon Energy fixing power lines at the accident site at 10pm that evening

In other news