Media Release

Morning round-up

Multiple fatality, Toowoomba: A sedan carrying seven teenage males has crashed into another vehicle on the New England Highway north of Toowoomba, killing two boys and seriously injuring four others. Initial investigations indicate that both vehicles were travelling north on the highway shortly before 10pm when the crash occurred. The car containing the boys caught on fire, trapping a number of the occupants. The male driver and sole occupant of the second vehicle, aged in his 50s, is seriously injured however his injuries are not considered life-threatening. A 16-year-old boy died at the scene while a 17-year-old died while undergoing surgery at Toowoomba General Hospital. One youth, 16, was flown by Careflight helicopter to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital; another, aged 17, has been flown to Gold Coast Hospital; and a third, aged 16, was flown to the Princess Alexandra Hospital. All have life-threatening injuries. Of the two remaining boys, a 17-year-old remains in Toowoomba General Hospital with serious injuries however he is expected to survive. The seventh occupant of the vehicle, a 17-year-old, received only minor injuries and has been released from hospital. The northbound lanes of the highway were diverted while investigations were conducted at the scene but have now re-opened. Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Arson, Loganholme: A suspicious fire has destroyed a Loganholme soccer club building due for demolition this week. It is believed the offenders entered a fenced area which contained the unoccupied building before setting it on fire about 12.15am. The building was extensively damaged and will be examined by scientific officers today. Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Armed robbery arrests, Brisbane’s south: Three teenage males have been charged in relation to two recent armed robberies on the southside of Brisbane. It is alleged about 9.05pm on April 27, two men armed with a gun robbed the Noodle Land eatery on Beaudesert Road, Acacia Ridge and escaped with a sum of cash. The second incident occurred at 7.30 the following evening when two armed men allegedly entered a takeaway store on Jackson Road, Sunnybank Hills and attempted to rob the shop assistant. They fled the store empty-handed. The three youths have each been charged with three counts of armed robbery. Two males, a 17-year-old from Acacia Ridge and an 18-year-old from Boronia Heights, will appear in Richlands Magistrates Court on Tuesday. A 16-year-old Acacia Ridge boy will face Richlands Children’s Court, also on Tuesday.

Light plane crash, Normanton: Two 54-year-old men received minor injuries when their light plane crashed on a property at Normanton in north-west Queensland yesterday. The plane had just taken off at 5.15pm when it experienced engine difficulties. It fell to the ground and landed on its side leaving one man with lacerations and the second with a fractured rib.