Qld couple killed while helping daughter

10:58 AEST Thu Aug 20 2009

news.ninemsn.com.au, by Steve Gray

Students and parents at two Queensland schools are being counselled after their popular chaplain and his wife were killed in a road accident on the Sunshine Coast.

Sippy Downs couple Allan Taylor, 56, and Kari Taylor, 51, had been called to assist their daughter Ashleah after her car broke down at around 4pm (AEST) on Wednesday on the Sunshine Coast.

They parked in a break-down lane beside the busy Sunshine Motorway and were standing behind their vehicle waiting to cross the highway when they were struck by a four-wheel drive driven by a man in his 70s.

Their daughter witnessed the accident and was taken to hospital where she was treated for shock.

Coordinator of school chaplaincies on the Sunshine Coast, Kerry Evans, said the whole community was shocked at the deaths of Mr Taylor, chaplain at Woombye and Palmwoods state schools and Mrs Taylor, who ran dance classes.

"Allan and Kari were greatly loved by all aspects of the community, not just the school community or the church community, but the whole community," Mr Evans said.

"They were a lovable couple and they loved God and they loved people and the community in which they worked and they would do anything for other people - such a fun-loving couple."

Mr Evans said the ripples of loss would be international.

"One of the places is Cambodia where they've gone to help underprivileged communities and children," he said.

"They'll be greatly missed by people from all walks of life."

The couple leave behind their daughter, 22, and a son, 14.

The driver of the four-wheel drive was transported to hospital with minor injuries.

Police have appealed for motorists travelling on the Sunshine Motorway who may have witnessed the crash to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or their local police station.