12:00a.m. 19th July 2008

| By Rae Wilson

The scene of the fatal single-vehicle accident at Currimundi. Photo: Michaela O'Neill/177123

A Sunshine Coast man died instantly early yesterday after his out-of-control sedan slammed into a power pole a few hundred metres from his home.

The accident happened on a busy Nicklin Way about 7.25am.

The Wurtulla 65-year-old had just set off for work.

Photo Gallery: Fatal car accident, Nicklin Way, Currimundi

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Police said the married man, who had adult children, was driving south and approaching a red light at the intersection of Buderim Street at Currimundi when the light turned green about 7.25am.

Witnesses told police he accelerated up the hill, fishtailed, slid sideways and then collected the pole which left his Nissan 200SX in a crumpled mess.

Police were unable to clear the scene until nearly 10am because an Energex crew had to secure wires and make the scene safe.

A shaken Julie King, who has lived on the property next to the crash for about a year, said she did not see the impact but the noise of the car taking off from the lights would stay with her.

“It was like a roaring noise. That’s what drew my attention,” she said.

“He was going reasonably fast from what I saw but I didn’t see the actual impact.”

“I stood up and by the time I came out the car was wrapped around the post.

“It just affects so many people: he’s someone’s father, maybe someone’s grandfather or son.

“It’s just so sad and senseless. I feel quite numb.”

Ms King said that was the second car in four months that had wrapped around the power pole. This car crash brings the Sunshine Coast road toll to 12 so far this year.

Just after the site of that crash had been cleared, two cars collided at the Nicklin Way and Sunbird Chase intersection.

One person was taken to Caloundra Hospital with possible back injuries.

Inspector Keith Schultz asked people “to remember that the main causes of fatal traffic accidents are speed, fatigue and being affected by drugs”.

There were nine deaths on Queensland roads between Friday and Sunday last week.