STRAY cattle caused the third fatality on roads near Mount Isa in the past four months, after a mother-of-two died after the car she was travelling in struck a cow on Saturday.
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The 27-year-old was in the vehicle with her partner and two children, aged two, and eight months, when it struck the cow and rolled over about 7.30pm on the Barkly Highway, 40 kilometres east of Mount Isa.
Her partner and children received serious but non-life threatening injuries and were transported by Queensland Ambulance Service ground crews to Mount Isa Hospital in a stable condition.
The RACQ NQ Rescue Helicopter crew were on a training flight and were diverted to the scene to assist emergency services.
Family and friends of the woman in Mount Isa have rallied around her partner and children to provide support. Police could not confirm the name of the deceased woman.
The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating, and will prepare a report for the coroner.
Mount Isa Police acting inspector Kelly Harvey said there was no indication of speed or alcohol being a factor, but the details of the crash would be detailed in the report.
Inspector Harvey reminded motorists to be aware of road conditions and the possibility of cattle straying on to roads.
The community has become increasingly frustrated at the number of cattle on the roads, with numerous reports of near-misses to add to the three fatalities.
In June this year, a 43-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman died after their campervan struck a cow on the Mount Isa to Camooweal road.
A spokesperson for Roads Minister Scott Emerson said his department was assisting police with their investigation into this incident.
When asked if it was acceptable for cattle to be freely roaming the state’s roads, and who had responsibility for maintaining boundary fences, the spokesperson said property owners were contacted if livestock were notoriously straying outside fence borders.
“Safety is our priority and we encourage motorists to drive with caution, and always to road conditions, especially in rural areas,” he said.
“When we receive reports of cattle on the road, we work with local contractors to return livestock to the owner. This includes providing traffic control to ensure the safety of road users and a crew to corral the stray animals.
“If livestock are repeatedly escaping a property on to the road, we will contact the property owner and request they upgrade their fencing or implement alternate arrangements to address the issue.”
Motorists can report livestock on the road by contacting 4931 1500.
■ For tips on driving on regional roads, or in the Outback, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Driver-guide/Driving-safely/Driving-in-the-outback.aspx#animals.
