Gillies, Bradley James

Male·Physical injuries sustained when concrete truck rolled over at intersection of Smith Street and Kumbari Avenue, Southport

Bradley James Gillies, an experienced cement truck driver, died when his fully loaded concrete truck rolled over while negotiating a right-hand turn at the intersection of Smith Street and Kumbari Avenue, Southport. The inquest examined multiple potential contributing factors including vehicle speed, suspension design, driver health (sleep apnoea, low-level cannabis), road camber, and load characteristics. While no single definitive cause was established, the coroner identified systemic safety gaps: inadequate driver training regarding suspension differences and centre of gravity effects, insufficient investigation protocols for heavy vehicle accidents, and lack of clarity on safe cornering speeds for loaded cement trucks. The coroner emphasized need for improved induction procedures addressing rollover risks and clearer guidance on cornering speeds appropriate for different truck suspension types.