Tragic new details have emerged about the horrific crash that killed a father and his two children while their mother, who was the driver, is still fighting for her life in hospital.
Sources close to the investigation believe the children’s mother was reversing along Dalby-Jandowae Road in Jimbour East, northwest of Toowoomba, in the moments before the accident, the courier mail reported.
The Western Downs family, traveling in an older model Nissan Terrano, were hit from behind by a ute about 10.50am on Monday.
The father, 54, and his two children, an 8-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl, died at the scene.
His mother was airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital by a LifeFlight team with critical injuries to her chest, abdomen and arm.
A father, 54, and his two children, ages 8 and 15, died Monday when a pickup truck rear-ended them. The children’s mother, who was driving the vehicle, is in critical condition in the hospital (pictured, first responders at the scene of the accident)
It is now believed the mother had been reversing on the road moments before the accident (pictured, accident scene at Jimbour East, northwest of Toowoomba).
The driver of the ute was treated for back injuries before being taken by ambulance to Dalby Hospital.
The family was described as being “tightly” trapped in their car.
Dalby Patrol Group Inspector Greg Wheeler addressed the media on Monday and said the scene was “horrific”.
“Any time there are children involved, it’s very traumatic,” he said.
‘You know, a family is basically here one moment, not the next. “It’s very difficult to understand how it really happened,” he said.
The police chaplain was called to the scene at 3pm to provide support to first responders.
Emergency services worked throughout the day to ensure the stretch of road where the accident occurred was safe.
Inspector Wheeler said the Forensic Accident Unit would be working to put together a sequence of events that could help prevent similar accidents.
“It was a bright, sunny day and the accident occurred on a straight, paved road,” he said.
“All we can say is plan your journey, plan for a safe return home, look after your loved ones and other road users and make sure you are truly aware of what you are doing at all times.”
Some drivers with knowledge of the road commented on the fatal accident on social media.
Police have pleaded with drivers to be safe, especially as the school holidays approach (pictured, crash site)
‘That path has always been bad. Big long straights, a drop, a change of direction. Hit the bumpy and bumpy road surface! In the 70s it was bad. From what I see, nothing has changed,” one wrote.
Another responded: ‘People just need to drive to the conditions!’
Queensland Ambulance Service Dalby officer-in-charge Alister Batterham pleaded with motorists to be careful.
“With the school holidays approaching, this tragic accident is a timely reminder for us all to take responsibility, drive to the conditions and ensure we take extra care with the additional traffic we will see on our roads,” he said.
“These types of incidents pose a challenge to first responders and bystanders who encounter these traffic accidents and alert emergency services.”