A devastating collision between two vehicles on a Queensland highway has claimed three lives, including that of a young girl, and left a teenager fighting for her injuries in hospital.
Fiery Crash Claims Lives on Bunye Highway
Emergency services were called to the Bunye Highway at Taabinga, northwest of Brisbane, shortly after 10pm on Monday night following reports of a serious crash. The incident involved a Dodge utility and a Ford Ranger utility.
The Dodge caught fire soon after the collision, leading to the death of its male driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
Tragically, both occupants of the Ford Ranger also died at the scene. They were identified as the 44-year-old female driver and a 12-year-old girl who was a passenger in the vehicle.
Teenager Airlifted to Children's Hospital
A second passenger in the Ranger, a 13-year-old girl, survived the crash but sustained serious injuries. Paramedics treated her at the scene before she was transported to Kingaroy Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Due to the severity of her injuries, the teenager was later airlifted to the Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane for further specialist care.
Major Police Investigation Underway
In the wake of the tragedy, police have closed a section of the Bunye Highway to allow for a full forensic examination of the crash site. The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the circumstances that led to the collision.
Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the crash, has dashcam footage, or has any information that could assist investigators to come forward and contact police.
The community of Taabinga and the wider South Burnett region has been left shaken by the loss of life on the local road network. The crash serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of road safety, particularly on regional highways.
