Hearts are breaking across the region as community members hear of the loss of 12-year-old Stirling Edwards-Bland who tragically passed away in a road accident on Sunday evening.
The young boy was travelling home from the NQ Games swimming meet in Townsville with his twin brother, Austin, and their mum Tracy.
It was about 6.40pm when the accident occurred, just 20 kilometres north of Proserpine and 30 kilometres from their home in Cannonvale.
It is understood that the family’s Toyota RAV4 was driving south along the Bruce Highway when a Nissan Patrol, which had been travelling north, veered over to the southbound lane causing the collision.
Stirling died at the scene and Austin was transferred by ambulance to Proserpine Hospital and then airlifted to Mackay Base Hospital with a serious pelvic fracture.
Tracy remained at Proserpine Hospital and was released on Tuesday.
Austin is still at Mackay Base hospital and surrounded by family who are all supporting each other throughout this terrible time.
The driver of the Nissan, a 45-year-old male, was the sole passenger of the vehicle and is believed to be in a stable condition.
Police are still waiting for toxicology results and Forensic Crash Unit investigations into the circumstances of the crash are continuing.
Stirling was a year 7 student at Proserpine State High School and the entire school community are devastated by the news.
As a small, interconnected community, the grief is widespread as many people knew the family either from school or various sporting clubs.
Both boys had been members of the Cannonvale Cannons swimming club.
“Our thoughts go out to our swimming family involved in a tragic traffic accident,” said a Facebook post from the club earlier this week.
“We have been advised to give the family time to process what has happened and respect the wishes of the family.
“We extend our thoughts and love to the family in this difficult time”
It is also understood that the family is involved with the Whitsunday Athletics Club where both boys have competed, and Tracy is one of the coaches.
Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP took the time to reach out to the school and swimming community earlier this week and expressed her sympathies online.
“With a heavy heart our community’s thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and students who are suffering with the tragic loss of their son, brother, mate and peer in the car accident at the Gregory River just north of Proserpine 24 hours ago,” read Ms Camm’s Facebook post.
“At this time there are no words - as a community we are here for each other.
“Our local school communities and many sporting clubs are all in grief. Today I’ve reached out to our School & Swimming community who are doing all they can to support our kids and families.”
If you know someone who is not coping or you would like to talk to a professional counselling service please reach out to one of these services:
Lifeline—phone 13 11 14 for free counselling and support (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Lifeline also provides information about other grief counselling services.
The Compassionate Friends, Queensland - peer support for parents, siblings and grandparents after the death of a child. Call 1300 064 068 to speak with someone else who has experienced child loss and understands.
Parentline—phone 1300 301 300 for counselling and support for parents (8am–10pm, 7 days a week).
Kids Help Line—if you are aged 5–25, call 1800 551 800 for free counselling (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
