I was one of those hospital workers back in the region in October 1989. As a physio I saw only those with fractures and sprains who needed casts and splints and slings, but my colleagues on the pointier end of triage and emergency care did mighty work indeed. The helicopter pilots flying all day taking the severely injured to regional trauma centres deserve a special nod as well.

It is a disgrace that it’s taken this long to upgrade the Pacific Highway to double carriageway all the way.

“…the Hospital, Police, Ambulance, Firebrigade, SES and other Volunteer rescuers who did their duty and showed dignity and respect…”

I think pretty holds true all around Australia. The care, patience, humane and bloody hard committed work of those, often on shit wages or less, who sort out, clean up and care for our road carnage, day after day after day, is one of the great unsung daily miracles of this joint.

I am almost certain that an entreaty was made in November 1989 to the then Federal Minister responsible for granting the funding for the upgrade of the Pacific Highway, I think it was Bob Brown before he turned Green. This was done well before Coroner Waller having heard expert evidence in his inquisitorial role into the collisions at Cowper and Clybucca decided he would call for the upgrade to the Pacific Hwy.

Can anyone of us ever really know how much of the dreams, hopes and aspirations of not only the passengers and drivers were forever lost but those who attended the scenes and those who attended the duties and responsibilities of caring.

Each year I feel the repeated sadness that attended these events, I went to the scene at Grafton I attended a number of others, I came to know nearly all the survivors and their families along with other dedicated members of the team I worked with. Each story was in its own right an unbelievable tragedy.

How many times should we ask successive Governments of State and Federal jurisdiction to step up and reduce the road toll by upgrading this disgraceful road?

18 years later I reflect again on the needless loss of lives and the sad recollections of those who survived and those who lost loved ones. And still this road is taking more victims.

On this 18th anniversary at Cowper, I again remember the victims and the families, the Hospital, Police, Ambulance, Firebrigade, SES and other Volunteer rescuers who did their duty and showed dignity and respect to individuals from that horrid scene at Cowper, when a North Bound Bus collided with a South Bound Semi tailer at about 3.50 am 20 October 1989.

Apparently only 10% of traffic go via the New England

The Beloved and I have discussed going via Glen Innes to visit friends so we may take the Newie next time Homer.

Easter is still too damned hot both at Lawrence and at Brisbane!!

The trouble with travelling the New England is that you have to come down the range at some stage. If I was going to Brisbane I would consider it but it makes the trip to the North Coast a lenghty one. My trick was to leave around 4:30-5:00am. It makes a big difference even during the holiday period. By 10:00am you are well over half-way through the trip and you miss all the congestion as it is behind you.

You are right about the heat. Though Lawrence is a lovely town. Got a nice little pub that is worth visiting for a meal.

My memory as a youngster was on constant one lane bridges.
Thank the lord they aint around.

Ever thought of travelling most of the via the New England. There is hardly any traffic there

The US is criss-crossed with highways. It has made small towns into economic satellites connected to the bigger economic centres. Australia should have embarked on a similar program, instead we have the largely provincial economies of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on the east coast.

In comparison Boston, NY, Philadelphia and Washington DC are one large integrated economic area. I am constantly travelling inside that region. Australia doesnt have anything really the same, and it is because the transportation system has been an impediment to it.