Cyclist Fatally Struck in Alleged Hit-and-Run

A 69-year-old local male cyclist has died in an alleged hit-and-run incident at a Bowen intersection.
The rider was discovered deceased at the corner of Bootooloo Rd and Wheelers Ln on this morning at 4:40am when a passing motorist found him. They had stopped to render assistance but, after realising the gravity of the situation, contacted 000.
Queensland Ambulance Services said the man sustained life-threatening injuries, and multi-system trauma.
Queensland Police Acting Inspector for the Mackay and Whitsunday District Jeremy Novosel added that the individual did not survive the initial impact.
Acting Inspector Novosel stated that the police have commenced an investigation, with the scene now under examination:
“It could be speed, it could be inattention, it could be a situation that is just purely an accident, but we have to factor all that into our investigation.”
“It's a tragic incident, and we certainly expect that people involved in these sorts of accidents would remain on the scene,” he said.
Police are led to believe the man was a fitness cyclist, who embarked on his daily ride, typically departing around 4:15 am. The road is also a regular route used by cyclists.
Officers from the forensic crash unit in Mackay, “are appealing to anyone who was travelling in the area between 4:15 and 5am this morning to contact police,” Novosel said.
The police are also appealing for the driver involved, or anyone with further information to come forward.
The type of vehicle is still unknown at this moment as investigators continue to look into the incident:
“The scene is still under examination and there may be items that are on the roadway or witnesses who might be able to provide information to police to lead to that information.”

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Vision of Acting Inspector Jeremy Novosel speaking to media in relation to the fatal bicycle crash this morning, July 25

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