One of the drivers killed in a catastrophic truck crash has been identified as a beloved husband and devoted father.
Jason Retallack, 33, died in a head-on collision involving two prime movers on Great Eastern Hwy in Meckering, 130km east of Perth, on Wednesday morning.
It emerged Thursday that Retallack had been heading home to Cunderdin and was only about 15 minutes from his family when he died.
His wife Kate said she had been left “absolutely heartbroken”.
Retallack is being remembered as a loving husband, dedicated father-of-two, and someone who was a “treasured friend to all”.
“The world lost an incredibly kind-hearted, hard-working, and loved young man,” his family said in a statement.
Jason Retallack, pictured with wife Kate, died in a truck crash on Wednesday. Credit: Supplied by family
Loved ones said Retallack was “always easy to spot” in his trademark high-viz shirt, boardshorts and sunglasses.
“He was always the very first person ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need,” they said.
“His loss leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of his loved ones and community.
“We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and condolences from our local communities and friends during this unimaginably difficult time.”
The team behind the Woodstock Offroad Challenge said Retallack “always went above and beyond to help us”.
“He was a truly wonderful man, and we are heartbroken that the truck crash in Meckering … has taken him from us,” they said.
Two trucks collided on Great Eastern Hwy near Meckering in WA. Credit: 7NEWS
The president of the shire of Wagin, where Retallack was originally from, said the news had rocked the Wheatbelt community.
“News is still only filtering in about it. It’s terrible,” Phillip Blight told 7NEWS.
“These things are always shocking and our heart goes out to the local family.”
Retallack had been developing his haulage business over the past few months, and his final delivery the day before was to bring offroad trucks to an upcoming 4×4 show in Perth.
The tragedy — which closed a stretch of Great Eastern Hwy — also claimed the life of another driver, a 56-year-old man.
The Major Crash Unit is investigating and anyone with information or video relating to the incident should contact Crime Stoppers.
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