ACT News

Daughter pays tribute to trucker William DeLucey who died in NSW crash

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The truck driver who died when his semi-trailer rolled near Clyde Mountain on Saturday was on his way to meet his granddaughter for the very first time. 

William DeLucey, 69, died on Saturday morning after his truck flipped close to the intersection of River Forest Road on the Kings Highway.

Daughter Betina, from Coffs Harbour, said the last time she spoke to her father he was excited at the prospect of travelling north and spending time with family. 

"He was on his way to meet his granddaughter for the very first time.

"That's the hardest part for us. That he was on his way to visit. He seemed really excited."

She remembered her father, from Perth, as a "hard-working truckie" who would do anything for his family.

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"He was your typical, hard working truck driver. Driving trucks was really his life.

"He was rough and tough and a typical driver from the 70s. But he always had a heart of gold.

"I didn't see him all that often. But we were always in touch and he was there when I needed him."

Mr DeLucey was travelling on the Kings Highway near Braidwood when his truck rolled around 8am on Saturday. 

A witness told Fairfax Media she was travelling from Batemans Bay when she saw the accident blocking traffic about 9.20am.

"It was on one of the hairpin turns," she said.

"There were at least six police cars, fire and rescue and ambulance all there and they were still getting the person out of the car when we went by.

"I heard sirens earlier around 8.30am."

The family of Mr DeLucey are now appealing for anyone who saw the crash to get in touch with police. 

"We all want to know as much as possible about the incident," daughter Betina said. 

"I've heard the road was really busy that day. So we are hoping somebody saw something."

Superintendent Peter O'Brien of the Far South Coast Local Area Command said police would like to speak to the driver of a sedan who may know more about the crash. 

Police believed the driver may have seen the incident but failed to stop. 

"We'd ask them to come forward through crime stoppers and speak with police," Mr O'Brien said. 

Anyone with information that could assist police can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.