A major crash involving three vehicles has forced the closure of a critical section of the Bruce Highway north of Cairns, with emergency services airlifting one man to hospital with serious injuries.
Chaos on the Bruce Highway
The serious collision occurred on the Bruce Highway at Wangan, approximately 30 kilometres north of the Cairns CBD, around 10:45 AM on Tuesday. The crash involved three cars and led to a significant emergency response.
Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) confirmed that multiple patients were assessed at the scene. The most seriously injured, a man, was treated for significant injuries before being transported by the RACQ CareFlight rescue helicopter to Cairns Hospital. His current condition is described as serious but stable.
Other individuals involved in the collision were treated for minor injuries by paramedics on site.
Major Traffic Disruption
The crash caused extensive disruption to one of the region's most vital transport corridors. The Bruce Highway was completely closed in both directions for several hours as emergency crews worked to clear the wreckage and police conducted their initial investigations.
Motorists were warned to expect long delays and to avoid the area entirely if possible. Heavy traffic built up on alternative routes as drivers sought detours around the closure. Queensland Police issued advisories urging patience and caution.
The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the circumstances that led to the three-car pile-up. Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam footage to come forward to assist with their inquiries.
Recovery and Road Reopening
Recovery operations continued into the afternoon. The highway was progressively reopened as the wreckage was cleared and the scene was made safe. However, residual delays persisted for some time after the lanes were opened.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers on Queensland's roads. Authorities are reiterating their core safety messages for drivers: to slow down, drive to the conditions, avoid distractions, and take regular breaks on long journeys.
The community is hoping for the full recovery of the airlifted man, while police work continues to determine the exact cause of the crash.
