Queanbeyan Police briefs - Sept 19

AN uninvited bee has been blamed for an accident which saw a driver careering off the Barton Highway and into a creek.

The 23-year-old Canberra man's Mazda Utility left the road just one kilometre from Nanima Road, Wallaroo about noon on Saturday, September 13.

The driver told police he had been travelling with the window wound down as he was having a cigarette at the time of the incident. A bee flew into the cabin and the driver, who is allergic to bees, waved his hand causing cigarette ash to drop onto his leg.

The distraction caused him to drift to one side of the road and onto the grass verge. He attempted to brake but collided with several signposts and a metal guardrail, according to Queanbeyan Police.

The vehicle continued down a steep slope approximately 10 metres into a creek before coming to a stop.

The driver managed to escape with minor injuries. The vehicle will be written off.

Following the incident, the driver has produced an Epipen to police to prove his allergy to bees.

$30,000 damage to Jerra gazebo after barbecue blaze

A JERRABOMBERRA property has sustained about $30,000 following a small gas fire on Saturday, September 13.

The victim was using the barbecue in the gazebo area at 8.30pm. They walked away for ten minutes only to return and see flames.

Queanbeyan Fire Brigade attended at about 8.50pm and extinguished the fire. They believe there was a leak from the gas cylinder to the barbecue.

Queanbeyan firefighters are reminding residents to check their barbecue and gas cylinders are in good working order and the hose connection is tight.

Car catches alight on drive home from dealership

A MAN'S recently purchased car caught alight while he was driving it home from the auction house on Friday, September 12.

The man had bought the 2001 Mercedes Panel Four Wheel Drive that afternoon from Canberra. He was driving it towards Mulloon when at about 10pm he noticed sparks underneath the vehicle and tried to stop the car. Police report there were issues with the brakes and the driver had to force the vehicle into park where it crunched to a halt.

The car caught alight and was completly destroyed by the fire. It had to be towed from the scene.

Lanyon Drive fatal crash victim named

Queanbeyan Police have confirmed the identity of the man who died in a fatal crash last week was Colin Victor Bush.

The 71-year-old Wanniassa man died at the scene of the single vehicle accident on Wednesday, September 10.

A post-mortem examination is being conducted but police believe the man suffered a medical episode prior to the crash.