The condition of a ute driver who sparked the powerful explosion that tore through a far north Queensland cafe is improving.
Brian Scutt is believed to have had a heart attack shortly before his ute ploughed into a gas bottle behind the Serves You Right Cafe, triggering an explosion, last week.
The 60-year-old stockman has been in an induced coma and on life support after suffering a broken spine, internal injuries and burns to 30 per cent of his body in the accident.
But his condition has improved from critical to serious, the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service said on Saturday.
Cafe manager 37-year-old Nicole Nyholt and 82-year-old Margaret Clark have both died from their injuries in hospital.
Ms Nyholt's grieving family have said Mr Scutt shouldn't be blamed for the "freak accident".
Community members held a funeral service for the mother of two in Atherton on Friday afternoon.
A hospital spokesman said six other victims who have been in a critical condition are now stable.
The victims include five women, aged 68, 59, 37, 23 and 15, and a 62-year-old man.
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