Inquest to probe fatal crane, car crash

A Queensland inquest into a crane and car collision that killed a mother and her six-year-old son will consider how improved regulations could stop heavy vehicles turning into deadly "monsters" on public roads.

Christine Leonardi, 37, and her son Samuel died after their car was struck by a crane on the New England Highway on September 16, 2013, on Toowoomba's outskirts.

The mother had been taking her three children to school when the crane, which witnesses described as beginning to swerve "like a snake" on the downhill slope of road, collided with her vehicle in a motion like a "potato peeler", a pre-inquest hearing in Brisbane was told on Tuesday.

Counsel assisting Peter De Waard said the crane driver had applied the brakes to try to stop the movement, but when this didn't work, accelerated instead.

He said the crane then "suddenly shot across the road" and into the path of oncoming, northbound traffic - damaging Ms Leonardi's car so severely the make and model was unrecognisable.

The mother died immediately and her young son died two days later in hospital, Brisbane Coroner John Hutton was told.

Notably, the court heard the tragedy had prompted a NSW call for a reduction to the speed limit for cranes made by the company, Terex, delivered for use on that state's public roads, from 90km/h to 80km/h.

But Mr De Waard said the company felt there was "no demonstrated safety reason" to do the same in Queensland, where there are more than 600 registered cranes of the type involved in the crash.

"What do they think the extra 10km/h will gain them?" Coroner Hutton said.

"Are they aware that speed kills, as it killed in this situation?"

He said drivers had to be aware of heavy vehicles on the road and crane operators alike needed to take care "so their vehicles do not become monsters and kill people".

It is expected the inquest, set down for mid-July, will consider how improved training and licensing processes, as well as a possible speed limit reduction or manufacturing alteration, could prevent future deaths.