80yo died on Yeppoon black spot

Vibrant woman: Yeppoon’s Marie Morris, pictured here on Anzac Day in 2006, died on Tuesday.

File

MARIE Morris was a vibrant, active and independent woman who loved to walk.

That's how her son, Tim Morris, described her yesterday as he and his family mourned the death of the 80-year-old.

Mrs Morris was tragically killed on Tuesday after she was hit by a car while attempting to cross Park Street in Yeppoon.

Police said she collided with a white Hyundai sedan at 12.43pm and was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

Sadly her condition worsened and she died at 8pm at Rockhampton Hospital.

Mr Morris provided a brief statement about his mother yesterday to The Morning Bulletin and asked that the family's privacy be respected.

“She was a vibrant, active, independent 80-year-old who lived life to the fullest. She loved to walk.”

Mrs Morris was a resident in the independent living area of the Capricorn Adventist Retirement Village.

Her late husband, David, was a prisoner of war at Changi, Singapore.

The section of Park Street where the accident happened has come under much debate during the past two years in relation to safety.

Yesterday Rockhampton Regional councillor Bill Ludwig said he had warned Council it was an accident waiting to happen.

He said he had been calling for a pedestrian crossing near where Mrs Morris was killed for some time.

But he said the project, among other crossings he is calling for in Yeppoon, kept getting pushed back.

“This crossing needs to be a priority. It didn't get put in with the shopping centre because Council plans to redesign the whole of Park Street,” Cr Ludwig said.

“I've been pushing this project for two years.”

Cr Ludwig said council had indicated the crossing was a priority for early work in the 2010/2011 budget.

“My condolences go out to this woman's family,” he said.

“Hopefully these tragic circumstances will ensure it remains a high priority.”

Police are continuing their investigations and ask anyone with information to contact Yeppoon Police on 4939 0000 or anonymously call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.