By DENNIS AMOR

RALLYISTS have sent messages of sympathy to the family of two caravanners aged 66 and 64 who were killed in a horror accident in Queensland.

Tony and Gayle Tear, of Bargara, near Bundaberg, died when their out-of-control rig was in collision with two support vehicles taking part in the Great Endeavour Rally on the remote Kennedy Developmental Road between Mount Garnet and Greenvale, south-east of Cairns.

Police said their southbound Nissan Patrol and dual-axle Retreat caravan had jackknifed just before the accident, south of Forty Mile Scrub National Park.

It is thought Mrs Tear, who was driving, lost control after passing an oncoming road train and collided with rally vehicles travelling behind the huge truck.

A spokesperson for the Endeavour Foundation told Caravanning News: "lt is believed the caravan ran into two of our support vehicles. Eighteen members of the support crew helped out at the scene ... directing traffic, holding medical drips and assisting emergency services."

The Good Samaritans were taking part in the 10-day, 5000km rally in which about 350 people were touring remote areas of Queensland to raise funds for the disabled.

"Condolences were sent to members of the caravanners' family as soon as was appropriate," the spokesperson added.

Four people on the rally, which began in Mackay on July 15 and finished in Townsville, were injured and treated at the scene. Two others were airlifted by helicopter to hospital in Townsville and were later visited by senior officers from the Endeavour Foundation.

Counsellors from the foundation's employee assistance program also offered support and assistance to other rally members.

In a statement, the foundation stressed that neither the driver or passenger of the Nissan Patrol was associated with the rally.

The accident happened on a single-lane stretch of highway where vehicles often have to swerve off the narrow bitumen strip onto the dirt shoulder to make way for oncoming traffic.

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