AN elderly couple who were killed while crossing a road in Townsville on Christmas Eve had just attended a church service.
The couple, aged in their mid-70s, were struck by a car at the intersection of Ross River Road and Bowen Road at Hermit Park about 7.20pm on Monday.
Members of the public and emergency services desperately tried to save the due and performed CPR for half an hour, but tragically, they both died at the scene.
Police said the man and woman had travelled to Townsville from Cairns to spend Christmas with their daughter.
It is understood the couple were walking to meet their daughter, who was picking them up after they attended a church service in the area.
Townsville Police Acting Inspector Stephen Batterham said the car’s driver, a man aged in his mid-30s, was suffering from shock after the incident and was taken to Townsville Hospital for treatment.
He said alcohol and drugs had not contributed to the crash and investigations into what caused it were underway.
Insp Batterham said the tragic accident should serve as a timely reminder to take care on the roads during the holiday period and sent his condolences to the couple’s grieving family.
The double fatalities occurred on day two of the Queensland Police Christmas road safety campaign.
On Monday, over 2,300 motorists were caught speeding on Queensland roads with the worst offender caught on speed camera doing 145 km/h in a 100km/h zone on Marlboro-Sarina Rd at Marlborough.
Another 93 drivers were charged with drink driving afer police conducted over 3,100 random breath tests.
The highest reading came from a a 27-year-old Aurukun man who blew 0.173 per cent on Pikkuw Street at Aurukun yesterday.
Fourteen drivers were caught drug driving on Monday.
