The victims of a horror crash that has left a mother fighting for her life while claiming the lives of her two children and their father have been named.
The family’s Nissan Terrano was allegedly struck from behind by a LandCruiser while travelling along the Dalby-Jandowae Rd at Jimbour East in south east Queensland on Monday at around 10.50am.
Phil, 54, who was in the front passenger seat, and Ocean, 15, and Warrior, eight, who were in the back, all died at the scene.
The vehicle’s driver, the children’s mother Krystal, 46, was flown to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital with life-threatening abdominal and chest injuries.
The family of four was travelling along Dalby-Jandowae Rd at Jimbour East when their sedan was allegedly rear-ended by a LandCruiser ute
The family’s mother, who was driving, is in a critical condition in hospital (pictured emergency workers at the scene of the accident)
The driver of the ute was treated for back injuries before being taken by ambulance to Dalby Hospital.
It is believed the family’s ute had slowed to assist a council worker moving grass by the side of the road when the accident happened.
The family, who live on a farm in the Western Downs region of south east Queensland, was described as being ‘heavily’ entrapped in their car.
Local Red Clark told Seven News the tight-knit community has been been rocked by the tragedy.
He described Ocean and Warrior as ‘good, quiet kids’.
Western Downs locals were stunned to learn of the loss of the family’s father and two children
Another local, who did not wish to be named, said it was difficult to ‘fathom’ losing an entire family in one go.
Grieving relative Storm Reddacliff set up an online fundraiser on Tuesday.
‘In memory of my beloved family, who tragically passed away in a car accident on Jimbour east road from Jandowae, I humbly ask for your support,’ the page reads.
‘Your donation will help cover funeral expenses and support my well-being during this difficult time. Any contribution, big or small, will be deeply appreciated.
‘My family was a shining light in my life, and their loss has left a profound impact on me. Your kindness and generosity will help me navigate this challenging period and honor their memory.’
Dalby Patrol Group Inspector Greg Wheeler addressed the media on Monday, saying the crash scene was ‘horrific’.
the family’s car was travelling on the road in the moments before the crash (pictured, scene of the crash at Jimbour East north-west of Toowoomba)
‘Whenever there is children involved it is extra traumatic,’ he said.
‘You know, a family basically here one minute, not the next. It’s very difficult to fathom how it’s actually occurred,’ he said.
The police chaplain was called to the scene by 3pm to provide support for the first responders.
Emergency services worked through the day to ensure the section of the road where the crash occurred was safe.
Inspector Wheeler said the Forensic Crash Unit would be working to put together a sequence of events that might help prevent similar crashes.
‘It was a bright, sunny day and the crash was on a sealed, straight road,’ he said.
‘All we can say is plan your trip, plan to get home safe, look after your loved ones and other road users and be sure you are well and truly aware of what you are doing at all times.’
Some drivers with knowledge of the road commented about the fatal crash on social media.
Police have pleaded with drivers to be safe, especially with school holidays fast approaching (pictured, the scene of the crash)
‘That road has always been bad. Big long straights, one dip, one change of direction. Hump bumpy jumpy road surface! In the 70s it was bad. Nothing’s changed I see,’ one wrote.
Queensland Ambulance Service Dalby Officer-in-Charge Alister Batterham pleaded for motorists to take care.
‘With the school holidays coming up, this tragic accident is a timely reminder for us to all take responsibility, drive to the conditions and ensure we take extra care with the extra traffic we will see on our roads,’ he said.
‘These types of incidents are confronting for first responders and the bystanders who come across these traffic crashes and alert emergency services.’
