M1 crash near Smith St exit: Two seriously hurt, motorway goes down to one lane

A woman is fighting for life and police are investigating a nasty M1 crash which saw all but one southbound lane shut.

Police and ambulance crews are at the scene of a nasty accident on the M1 near Smith St.

A woman is fighting for life and police are investigating a nasty M1 crash which saw all but one southbound lane shut.

Queensland Fire and Emergency services were called to a two-car crash just south of the Smith St on ramp to the Pacific Motorway at 7.25pm.

Southport: the M1 southbound near the Smith Street exit is down to one lane, as emergency services respond to a traffic crash. Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible, or expect delays. #QLDtrafficpic.twitter.com/1WZJZv1paK

— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) October 3, 2023

A police spokesperson said after investigating they found a ute, which witnesses said was bearing L-plates, was headed southbound on the on ramp when it slowed down to merge.

The spokesperson said the yellow sedan crashed into the back of the ute “at speed”.

A 32-year-old Nerang woman, who was a passenger of the sedan was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital, where she remains in a critical condition.

#Molendinar - Paramedics transported two patients to Gold Coast University Hospital after a two vehicle incident on Pacific Highway at 07.28pm. One patient was in a critical condition and one patient was in a serious condition. Three other patient were assessed no scene. pic.twitter.com/wJWivYCump

— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) October 3, 2023

A 34-year-old Nerang man, who was the driver of the sedan was taken to Gold Coast University in a stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.

Paramedics assessed three other people at the scene.

Police are continuing to investigate the crash.

EARLIER: Patient fighting for life after nasty M1 smash

Two people have been seriously injured in a nasty M1 accident that saw all but one southbound lane of the motorway shut.

Witnesses said a yellow car appeared to have collided with a ute bearing L-plates just south of the Smith St intersection at Molendinar on the Gold Coast.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesperson said two people were taken to Gold Coast University Hospital following the accident, which happened just before 7.30pm.

One was in a serious condition, and the other was fighting for life in a critical condition.

Three other patients were assessed by paramedics at the scene.

Southport: the M1 southbound near the Smith Street exit is down to one lane, as emergency services respond to a traffic crash. Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible, or expect delays. #QLDtrafficpic.twitter.com/1WZJZv1paK

— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) October 3, 2023

Two Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) crews also responded to the scene, with initial reports suggesting a person may have been trapped in their vehicle.

However a QFES spokesperson said everyone was out of the cars when the crews arrived at about 7.45pm.

#Molendinar - Paramedics transported two patients to Gold Coast University Hospital after a two vehicle incident on Pacific Highway at 07.28pm. One patient was in a critical condition and one patient was in a serious condition. Three other patient were assessed no scene. pic.twitter.com/wJWivYCump

— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) October 3, 2023

Police warned motorists to expect heavy delays as emergency services dealt with the incident and crash scene investigators worked to establish how the accident happened.

As of 9pm, only one southbound lane of the motorway remained open and drivers were being asked to avoid the area if possible.

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Originally published as M1 crash near Smith St exit: Two seriously hurt, motorway goes down to one lane