Queensland Police reveal horror details in quadruple fatal Central Highlands crash

Queensland Police have revealed horrific new details in the brutal head-on crash in central Queensland that took the lives of four people, including two children.

Horrifying new details about a crash that killed a young family in Queensland have been revealed by police.

Shaun Ranger and his children Baylee, 7, and Chandler, 6, and another man were killed in the head-on crash on Sunday that happened just before 10.50am on the Capricorn Highway between Comet and Blackwater, west of Rockhampton, in central Queensland.

Officers say two vehicles collided at “very high speed” before both caught fire from the impact.

“Initial investigations indicate a Holden Commodore travelling towards Blackwater with four occupants struck a Toyota HiLux utility containing two occupants travelling in the opposite direction,” the police said.

“The driver, a 28-year-old man, six-year-old boy, seven-year-old girl and 32-year-old man died as a result of the crash.”

The occupants of the HiLux also suffered serious injuries in the crash.

Paramedics took a 28-year-old man to hospital in a serious but stable condition and flew a 27-year-old man to Brisbane for treatment for life-threatening injuries.

A fundraiser has been set up for Renee Carla (right) in the aftermath of the tragedy. Picture: GoFundMe

On Monday, Inspector Ben Wiltshire said the “heartbreaking incident” served as a “stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of road safety”.

“It’s a tragedy that reverberates not just through the families, but through the entire Central Highlands community.”

The full details of the crash are not yet known, he said, but investigators believed the vehicles collided at a “very high speed”.

He said both vehicles suffered “significant damage” and caught fire.

“The injuries to the people involved were horrific,” he said.

He said one of the vehicles was heading west, while the other was heading east.

Mr Ranger and his family were returning from a camping trip, he said, while the two men in the HiLux “may have been travelling to work”.

The mother of the family, Renee Carla, was travelling behind, he said, and she was on scene while police officers responded to the incident.

Inspector Wiltshire said it was “too early” in the investigation to speculate on possible charges.

“It’s very early days in the investigation and it would be premature for me to speculate on who was at fault or the reasons for the crash at this stage,” he said.

Inspector Ben Wiltshire provided an update on the crash and pleaded with motorists to pay attention while drivers. Picture: Supplied

The Central Highlands region, about 850km north of Brisbane, is a coal, beef and cotton zone stretching from Rockhampton in the east to Emerald and Alpha in the west.

Inspector Wiltshire said Central Queensland produced a larger proportion of people involved in crashes because of fatigue and the distances between town across the region.

“Every time you get into a vehicle, you are conducting a high risk activity,” he said.

“It is this case, it’s two young kids who aren’t going to play ball or play an instrument ever again in their lives.

“It is about people. It’s about families.”

Family friend Chantel Semple has set up a fundraiser for Ms Carla, with the money to help the devastated mum and two-year-old Saphora.

“It is with broken hearts that we share the loss of my dear friend’s two beautiful babies and their loving and devoted father today in a devastating car accident,” she said.

Baylee, 7, and Chandler, 6, lost their lives in the crash. Pictured Baylee and Chandler

“Shaun, Baylee and Chandler were cherished and loved by many and brought so much joy and light into our lives.

“Baylee, aged 7, had a cheeky smile, bubbly personality and a love for horses.

“Chandler, aged 6, was a sweet and kind-hearted little boy, full of life and loved the outdoors.

“Shaun a dedicated and selfless father, supportive friend and loving partner.”

Ms Semple said the family’s friends were “heartbroken” over the unexpected loss.

“I hope to relieve the extra stress and heartache that this family already have to endure by raising much-needed funds to cover costs for funeral expenses and support Renee and little Saphora,” she said.

As of Monday morning, $17,180 has been raised from a $26,000 target.

Investigations into the incident are continuing.

The police are expected to provide further updates on Monday.

The weekend proved a catastrophe for the state’s road toll, with six people killed across Saturday and Sunday.

As of July 20, 158 people have lost their lives in road crashes in Queensland.

Originally published as Queensland Police reveal horror details in quadruple fatal Central Highlands crash