Manjimup, Pemberton communities reeling from death of former councillor Verrell Herbert in horror crash

A South West town has been rocked by the death of a former councillor in a horror Vasse Highway crash over the weekend. Verrell Herbert served on the Manjimup Shire Council for four years from 2015-19 as a west ward councillor, which covers the Pemberton region, right up to Fonty’s Pool. Mr Herbert and his wife Ros were heading to Pemberton about 1.30pm on Saturday when their car left the road and crashed into a tree. Mrs Herbert was taken to Pemberton Hospital with serious injuries but has since been transferred to Bunbury in a stable condition. The crash took place on Vasse Highway near Pemberton Farm Chalets as the red Holden Commodore sedan was heading south towards Pemberton. Manjimup shire president Paul Omodei said he was deeply saddened by the death of Mr Herbert. “Verrell was a valued member of council four four years and this is a very sad loss,” he said. Cr Omodei said Mr Herbert had been a strong advocate for the Pemberton community during his time on council. “He was always logical and methodical in his approach,” he said. “He carried himself with great pride and always presented himself well — he was an outstanding representative for the west ward and for the shire as a whole. “He was a highly intelligent man and a team player — he had his own strong views, but he played well.” Mr Herbert was first elected to the council unopposed in 2015. Prior to becoming a councillor, Mr Herbert had 15 years’ experience in local government when he lived in South Africa. After he was appointed to council, Mr Herbert told the Manjimup-Bridgetown Times he would like to see Pemberton and other small local towns embraced and integrated into the strategy plan brought about by Manjimup being named as a SuperTown. “It is going to be a privilege to serve the people of Pemberton and the other residents of the shire,” he said. “I believe Pemberton has a great deal of potential for tourism. “I feel at this point being in local government is part of my DNA.” Today, Cr Omodei said he wanted to thank the emergency services staff who attended the scene. “It’s difficult for those who attended the crash, because they knew Verrell too,” he said. Police are calling for anyone who saw the crash or saw the car travelling in the area before the crash. Call CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online.