Mount Marlow crash: Husband-to-be dies in hospital after horror crash that also killed a mum and her pregnant daughter saw his Landcruiser plunge off a bridge
A woman and her pregnant daughter have died in a horrific two-car crash in Queensland’s Whitsundays region.
Marvic Estrada, 60, and her pregnant daughter Mary Joy Estrada Dela Cruz, 35, were in a Nissan Navara when it collided with a Toyota LandCruiser travelling in the opposite direction in Mount Marlow at about 1pm on August 11.
The two women and Mrs. Dela Cruz’s unborn child died in the crash, which also injured their husbands.
The Landcruiser, driven by Mitch Kilner, was hit head-on by the Navara which slid into its lane during heavy rain, causing the car to fall off a bridge.
Mr Kilner’s fiancĂ©e, Chloe Vandersteeg, and two other passengers were also in the Toyota.
Mr Kilner, from the Gold Coast, was taken to Townsville University Hospital in a critical condition but died of his injuries last Friday, almost two weeks after the crash.
Friends have rallied behind Mrs Vandersteeg, who suffered a ‘serious’ spinal cord injury,
A GoFundMe A page has been set up to support her through her ‘challenging recovery process’ as she grieves the loss of her beloved fiancĂ©, who is hundreds of miles away from home.
Mitch Kilner, pictured left with his fiancée Chloe Vandersteeg, died 12 days after the crash
Mrs Vandersteeg (pictured) faces a ‘challenging road to recovery’
Fundraiser organizers Alethea Curtis and Ronald Sheather said the crash “has drastically changed Chloe’s lifestyle.”
“Chloe is currently in the hospital with a serious spinal injury and faces a long, painful road to recovery,” they wrote.
‘The terrible accident has left Chloe in a serious physical condition and left her facing the unbearable reality of losing her future with her fiancĂ© Mitch.’
Proceeds will go directly to Mrs. Vandersteeg to help with medical expenses, travel, moving and living expenses, and emotional support and counseling.
Mitch Kilner is pictured with dog Koda and his fiancée Chloe Vandersteeg (left), who suffered a spinal injury in the horrific crash
Mitch and Chloe (pictured) lived on the Gold Coast but were originally from Wangaratta in regional Victoria
Over $10,000 has been raised so far.
Proceeds will also help transfer Mrs Vandersteeg from Townsville Hospital in North Queensland back to Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast.
She and her Labrador Koda will then move to Wangaratta, the couple’s hometown in regional Victoria, to be with her family and support her during her rehabilitation.
Mrs Vandersteeg requires ongoing medical care, including further surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and is unable to work during this time.
âThank you for supporting Chloe as she faces the challenges ahead,â the page read.
“In honor of Mitchy, let’s make him proud and support his queen! Let’s stand behind her and make sure she has the smoothest and best recovery possible.”
Marvic Estrada, 60, (right) and her pregnant daughter Mary Joy Estrada Dela Cruz, 35, (left) also died in the horrific crash at Mount Marlow on August 11
Mr Kilner’s former football team, Wangaratta Rovers, posted a statement on social media offering their condolences to his family.
‘He was a creative left-footer and played 39 third-quarters, 15 reserve and six senior games before deciding to continue his career at Glenrowan,’ the club said.
A raffle at a club competition helped raise money for the fundraising.
Mr Kilner’s death will bring the number of road deaths in the Mackay-Whitsundays region to 15 by 2024.