A four-car collision on Queensland’s Fraser Coast on Thursday evening left 10 people injured, after a 14-year-old boy veered into oncoming traffic while driving, according to police.
The incident occurred around 6 p.m. On Maryborough Hervey Bay Road. Officers reported the boy was traveling north when his vehicle crossed the median and collided with two other cars, with a third vehicle as well becoming involved.
Paramedics transported those injured to nearby hospitals. A 16-year-old girl, a passenger in the car driven by the 14-year-old boy, was flown to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in critical condition. An 18-year-old woman, driving one of the other vehicles, was also flown to the same hospital in critical condition.
The 14-year-old boy and two other passengers were taken to Hervey Bay Hospital in stable condition. Five additional individuals, including a two-year-old boy, also received hospital treatment.
Police Inspector Paul Algie stated that initial investigations suggest speed was a primary factor in the crash. “Speed looks as though it was the primary cause,” he said.
Inspector Algie also noted the inexperience of the driver, stating, “We cannot avoid that fact that the driver was 14 and inexperienced.” He further revealed the vehicle was unregistered and uninsured, and belonged to a grandparent of one of the passengers, having previously been registered to the passenger’s mother.
“It deeply saddens me that I have to report of another serious traffic crash in the Wide Bay Burnett [region] involving children without a licence, driving a vehicle without permission, causing serious trauma to numerous families,” Inspector Algie said.
The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) responded to the scene with seven ambulances and a helicopter. Acting senior operations supervisor Andrew Eason described the event as “an incredibly traumatic event for our crews,” adding, “Children always tug at the heartstrings.”
The Forensic Crash Unit is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time did the crash occur?
The crash occurred around 6 p.m. On Thursday on Maryborough Hervey Bay Road.
How many people were injured in the collision?
Ten people were injured in the four-car collision.
What did police say about the cause of the crash?
Police Inspector Paul Algie said early examination of the damage and skid marks suggested the car the 14-year-old was driving was likely speeding.
Given the ongoing investigation, what steps might be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future?