James Heggaton revealed as Kojonup crash victim following horror HiLux rollover, three others injured

A Great Southern town has been rocked by the death of a well-known farmer and passionate country football supporter in a horrific crash on Saturday morning. Thirty-year-old James Heggaton was in the front seat of a Toyota HiLux ute when the 24-year-old man behind the wheel lost control and the ute rolled. Mr Heggaton sustained critical injuries and died at the scene. The driver and three other passengers — a 20-year-old man, 19-year-old woman and 18-year-old man — suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken by St John WA to Kojonup Hospital. The Heggaton family are prominent figures in the Australian sheep and agricultural industry. The family owns Evergreen Grazing and Genstock Breeding Services, which Mr Heggaton led following the death of his father, Dr Craig Heggaton in 2024. Mr Heggaton was a passionate supporter of his local country footy team, the Kojonup Cougars Football Club. A minutes silence was observed before the reserve and league matches on Saturday. A club representative said the family had been long-term sponsors and major contributors to the club in recent years. “James had many good mates at the club and played a significant role,” she said. “The loss is felt strongly across the club. We send our condolences, love and support to his family and friends.” She said the community would “keep pushing forward”, as “that is what James would’ve wanted”. “We feel very strongly for Liz (Heggaton), who has now lost her husband and son,” the club representative said. Dr Heggaton, chairman of the WA Meat Marketing Co-operative, took his own life in July 2024 while receiving treatment for prostate cancer. He was 63. It prompted Ms Heggaton to advocate for more government funding for prostate cancer research. Emergency services were called to the crash scene on Samson Road in Jingalup, about 20km south-west of Kojonup, about 12.30am on Saturday. Major crash investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances of the incident and have appealed for witnesses or dash-cam footage. The tragedy comes during National Road Safety Week, with WA Police urging safer driving behaviours and warning against the “Fatal Five” contributing factors to serious crashes. These behaviours remain the leading contributors to deaths and serious injuries on WA roads, including speeding, impairment by alcohol or drugs, failure to wear seatbelts, fatigue and distraction. If you or anyone you know has been affected by a road crash, contact Road Trauma Support WA on 1300 004 814.