A man has died and three people, including a teenage girl, have been injured after the car they were travelling in crashed into a tree in Brisbane’s north early this morning.
Emergency services were called to Merrett Avenue, near the intersection of Norbiton Street, in Zillmere about 1.25am on Thursday following reports a black Volkswagen Golf had left the road and slammed into a tree.
Seven Queensland Ambulance Service units, including the specialist High Acuity Response Unit, responded to the crash. Paramedics treated four occupants at the scene, where debris was scattered across the roadway.
The driver, a 40-year-old man from Zillmere, was found with life-threatening injuries. He was transported to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital but later died despite efforts to save him.
A 42-year-old woman, also from Zillmere, suffered serious head and leg injuries. She was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a critical condition. A second passenger, a 38-year-old woman, sustained head injuries and was transported to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a stable condition. A 14-year-old girl with head injuries was taken to the Queensland Children’s Hospital, also in a stable condition.
Police confirmed the victims all lived locally, with the crash occurring just streets away from their homes. The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the circumstances of the incident and is appealing to witnesses or anyone with relevant CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward.
A Queensland Police Service spokesperson told DovaFM investigations were still in their early stages but confirmed officers would be examining speed, road conditions and other contributing factors.
The tragedy has prompted renewed calls for caution on Queensland roads. Police again urged drivers to avoid the so-called “Fatal Five” behaviours: speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seatbelts, fatigue and distraction. Which remain the leading causes of serious and fatal crashes.
“Every life lost on Queensland roads is one too many,” the spokesperson told DovaFM. “We’re asking motorists to slow down, stay alert and make safe decisions to prevent further tragedies like this.”