Mum's desperate plea after son's tragic end to 4WD dream holiday

Rhys Dwyer, 34, was touring regional Western Australia when he collided with cattle on his four-wheel drive.

Sophie Coghill
·News Reporter
Updated ·2-min read
Rhys Dwyer holds up a beer while sitting on his car (left) and hugs a dog during sunset with his car behind him (right).
Rhys Dwyer, 34, died after colliding with cattle during a 4WD tour in July. Source: GoFundMe

The mum of a man killed during a dream holiday touring around Western Australia in his four-wheel drive (4WD) hopes her son's death serves as a reminder of the dangers of regional roads.

Rhys Dwyer, 34, collided with cattle on the Great Northern Highland between Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing on July 3, dying at the scene from his injuries. His mum Allison Walker believes he was an experienced driver who died doing what he loved, and his untimely death should be upheld as a reminder that "freak accidents" can happen to anyone as the state's road death toll surges.

"People can become complacent, especially when you see a sign for cattle or kangaroos but then don’t see them [immediately]," she told 7News. "Some of the roads are horrific with cows and kangaroos... the signs are there for a reason. Please be vigilant."

The state is set to record one of its worst years for road deaths in the last decade following a surge in the first six months of the year. So far there have been 126 deaths on WA roads, 75 of which occurred on regional roads.

Rhys Dwyer smiles at the camera.
Dwyer's mum Allison Walker wants her son's death to be a reminder about the dangers of regional roads. Source: GoFundMe

Walker said nothing should be left off the table while authorities try to tackle the issue.

"[These fatal crashes] are happening far too often. You're scared anytime your loved ones go out because you don't know if they're going to come home, or even if you're going to come home,” she said. "If we don't keep promoting the need for change, nothing will change."

There is a greater risk of death on regional roads compared to roads in major cities, with Aussies five times more likely to die in crashes, according to the Australian Automobile Association.

The key reason for this is the higher speeds on regional roads, with a high proportion of crashes occurring in high-speed zones. Poor road surface area, increased road hazards, such as wildlife, fatigue and longer journey time also contribute.

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