On the evening of 23rd of December 1964, Constable Bell and his partner were on night shift at Central Police Station assigned to motorcycle traffic patrol.

Whilst in pursuit of a speeding motorist on Great Eastern Highway, Redcliffe, Constable Bell collided with a vehicle traveling in a south easterly direction at the intersection of Brearley Avenue and Great Eastern Highway.  

Constable Bell died of multiple injuries at the scene of the crash.