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Subscriber only A mother intentionally driving while high on drugs, a popular teen run over on a suburban street - these are among Mackay and Whitsunday s tragic road toll for 2020. Fatal crashes spiked from 11 deaths in 2019 to 24 last year within the district despite lockdowns imposed under COVID-19 restrictions. That s a significant jump, Mackay Forensic Crash Unit officer in charge Sergeant Michael Hollett said. A man died following a truck rollover on Homebush Rd, Homebush on Friday October 23. Picture: Heidi Petith So why was 2020 such a horror year? That s the key question because we had a big period of lockdown, Sgt Hollett said.
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Subscriber only Friends and family paid tribute to those they lost in tragic circumstances in what was already a difficult year. From valiant battles with cancer lost to a mining death and shocking traffic crashes, these are some of the people the community mourned whose lives were cut short in 2020. Donald Rabbitt, 33, died while working at Blackwater s Curragh coal mine. He was reportedly working on a float, which transports machinery, when it crushed him.
Donald Rabbitt Mine contractor Donald Rabbitt was reportedly just minutes from the end of his shift at Curragh Coal Mine when he was found trapped under a piece of heavy machinery on January 12.
Premium Content Forget Christmas in July - this Christmas we re rewinding back to July. And what a month it was, from businesses still experiencing pandemic woes, Whitsundays being earmarked for military bases and space stations and fresh Keswick Island disputes. Here s the top headlines in Mackay in July 2020. Mackay War Memorial Pool Community Action Group committee members (from left): Jane Conlon, Carol Single, Sue Willett and Graham Townsend with VC recipient Keith Payne (centre) at the front of the Memorial Swimming Centre which has just received state heritage listing. Picture: Heidi Petith MACKAY S oldest pool has been given a lifeline after being declared an official State Heritage listing.