Townsville youth crime: Juveniles in two stolen cars ram Colorado ute

In dystopian Mad Max-like scenes, rampaging teens in two vehicles chased down and rammed a ute, causing the vehicle containing four young men to roll in Townsville.

Queensland Ambulance Service said four patients were transported to Townsville University Hospital following the shocking incident on the intersection of High Range Drive and Regiment Court in Thuringowa Central at 3.11am on Sunday morning. Picture: Supplied

In dystopian Mad Max-like scenes, rampaging teens in two stolen vehicles chased down and rammed a Colorado ute, causing the vehicle containing four young men to roll in Townsville overnight Saturday.

Queensland Ambulance Service said four patients were transported to Townsville University Hospital following the shocking incident on the intersection of High Range Drive and Regiment Court in Thuringowa Central at 3.11am on Sunday morning.

A relative of the driver, Robyn Shapcott, told the Townsville Bulletin that the four young men in the newly purchased vehicle were attempting to drive to Kirwan Police Station to seek shelter from two carloads of youths in stolen vehicles when the crash occurred.

She said two of the young men had suffered minor neck injuries.

Queensland Police Service confirmed it had responded to reports of a “hit and run crash”.

Picture: Cameron Bates

“Upon arrival, a vehicle was found on its roof with all occupants outside the vehicle being assessed by emergency services and a water hydrant appeared be damaged.”

A QPS spokeswoman said water mains had to be turned off due to the damaged hydrant.

“Investigations are ongoing into the other vehicle involved.”

Ms Shapcott, formerly from Townsville but now residing in Charters Towers, said her relative, an apprentice mechanic, and a friend had driven into town to pick up a couple of mates enjoying a night out and were driving home when the two vehicles began to chase them.

“They were desperately trying to get to Kirwan Station because they were trying to ram him and they did ram him and it’s totalled his car,” she said.

Ms Shapcott said that when police arrived on scene, they had told the men that it had been the third ramming incident in Townsville overnight.

“We’re all horrified, disappointed, nothing is changing in Townsville, I mean it’s escalating, this is massive escalation.”

Ms Shapcott said youths were ramming police cars and private vehicles with impunity.

“How are we going to ensure public safety when people are getting actually run off the road?”

She said the incident was “gobsmacking”.

“People can’t even drive home anymore: You’re going to get smashed at the lights, dragged out of your car, carjacked, or you’re going to get run off the road.”

Originally published as Townsville youth crime: Juveniles in two stolen cars ram Colorado ute