Japanese tourist dies in Fraser Island vehicle roll over

A 25-year-old Japanese passenger was killed on Saturday when the Landcruiser he was travelling in rolled on Fraser Island. 

At approximately 9:40am local time on Saturday, nine kilometres north of the Dundabura Camping Ground on Fraser Island, a Toyota Landcruiser – which is believed to have been hired privately – carrying eight Japanese tourists rolled after the driver allegedly swerved to avoid an obstacle on the sand.

The six other passengers and the driver, all between the ages of 23 and 29 were taken to hospital with injuries.

Following a double fatality in a vehicle crash in April, new restrictions for 4WD hire companies were proposed. The restrictions only allow seven people to travel inside any one four-wheel-drive at a time and luggage was not to be permitted on the roof of the vehicle. Popular “troop carriers” were previously licensed to carry 11 passengers.

The restrictions were due to be introduced before this Christmas however the Queensland Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said operators needed more time to make their vehicles compliant. The restrictions will now be effective from April 1 next year.

Nolan said she had been told the vehicle involved in Saturday’s incident was not a troop carrier and was not top-loaded but a modern Landcruiser with forward-facing seats.

By Alice Terlikowski  ·  December 14th, 2009 at 10:17 am

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Comments


  1. mike barrow
    15 Dec 09
    11:45 am

    2. Hello everyone, first time writing in. Much as I love to keep up with industry news items and think that Thumbrella does a wonderful job, I raise my concern over the latest edition. My opinion is that our news items are starting to sound a bit like The Sun newspaper in the UK – too much sensationalism about deaths here and there.
    For some this may be news. Personally, in depth journalism with opinions and research is far more valuable and interesting to read.
    These things do happen, but lets not dwell on the negativity which purports to be journalism. This country and its operators would love to hear some positive news and positive spin.
    Let’s maintain some sense of feeling of belonging to a great industry which year on year delivers millions to Australia, employs thousands and gives travellers everlasting memories of great times in Oz.
    Be positive!!

  2. Greg Cole
    15 Dec 09
    3:10 pm

    3. As this is an industry forum I couldn’t agree more with Mike. Thumbrella’s seems to be grabbing anything it can find from many other news sources and regurgitating it. News sources that overload our lives with the downside of life.

    Without question this is a tragedy, but would thumbrella take the time and effort to research and publish a story on the thousands who safely and securely visit Fraser with reputable operators and make it interesting? I doubt it. Like, its like, too much, like, hard work?

    It seems journos these days are all cut from the same cloth.

    Greg Cole

  3. Martin Lane
    15 Dec 09
    3:15 pm

    4. Blimey, we seem to have upset the positive police with this issue. Perhaps we should have put a sub-head under the story saying “Lots of backpackers are still alive though”.

    I agree four people dying in one week is unusual – that’s why it’s called news.

    Cheers

    Martin – Thumbrella

  4. Greg Cole
    15 Dec 09
    7:40 pm

    5. Journalistic hubris at work. Your readers were pointing out your negativity and in a fairly pompous fashion you indicate that what you think is news we should all think is news.

    Still, let’s be fair, there’s loads of good stuff on the site. But can I ask, do you call that news as well?

  5. Keith Roberts
    15 Dec 09
    10:49 pm

    6. i am so pleased I am lucky enough to live in Australia,
    We have a low incidence of road fatalities compared to many other countries often visited by backpackers. India reports over 300 road deaths daily and around 5000 injuries. Now here is some good news, Australia is statistically a very safe place to visit.
    i agree with the two writers above, Bring us some xmas cheer

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