Baby dies after two-vehicle crash on M1 in Gaven
A baby has died after a ute smashed into a car parked on the side of the M1 on the Gold Coast in the early hours of Sunday, with passers-by describing the traumatic scene.
A newborn baby has died and his mother was left seriously injured after a ute crashed into a car parked on the side of the M1 on the Gold Coast.
Emergency services were called to the scene in Gaven about 2.50am on Sunday and described the scene as traumatic.
Police said initial investigations indicate a silver Jeep Cherokee was parked on the northbound side of the M1, near the Smith St ramp, when it was struck by a grey Toyota Hilux.
A one-month-old baby boy, who was in the Jeep, was rushed to the Gold Coast University Hospital but died a short time later.
The baby’s mother, a 24-year-old Ormeau Hills woman who was the driver of the Jeep, was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a serious condition.
As of Sunday evening, her condition had stablised.
The driver of the Toyota, a 51-year-old Loganlea man, sustained minor injures and was also taken to Gold Coast University Hospital.
The Forensic Crash Unit are investigating the circumstances around the crash.
Footage taken from the scene show both vehicles were severely damaged with debris strewn across the highway.
The M1 was reduced to only one northbound lane near the Smith St ramp in the hours following the crash.
The tragedy was similar to the death of Redcliffe man Daniel Turner in 2018.
The 25-year-old’s ute had broken down on the side of the M1 at Helensvale and as he looked under the bonnet a car slammed into his ute, pushing it on top of him.
His mother, Annette Turner, has passed on her condolences to the family of the baby boy killed on Sunday.
“Horrific, my son lost his life at exactly the same spot in 2018... Daniel Turner. My sincere condolences to the little boy’s family. Who would be as I know in extreme shock,” she said.
Motorists who drove past the aftermath of the crash scene described it as “awful and “heartbreaking”.
“Just went past it, absolutely heartbreaking,” Jacqui Shepherd said.
“I drove past this awful awful scene this morning. My heart is absolutely shattered for all involved. Terrible scene. My sincere thoughts are with everyone involved,” Kristen Tuddenham said.
The crash struck a chord with the Gold Coast community and drew a strong reaction from other members of the public.
“This is absolutely heartbreaking… no words can truly capture the pain of such a loss. My heart goes out to the little angel taken far too soon and to his family whose lives will never be the same. Sending love, strength, and prayers to everyone affected by this unimaginable tragedy,” Belinda Peisley said.
“Such sad news. RIP little bubba, my thoughts are with Mumma in her heartbreaking grief & their families,” Michele said.
Mel Teeferino drove past the scene before emergency services arrived and was troubled by what she saw.
“I drove past it before the ambos arrived and my heart plummeted,” she said.
Premier David Crisafulli said he was troubled by news of the crash.
“You see an incident like that, and you can’t look at it and not feel an immense degree of sadness for everyone who’s involved in it,” he said on Sunday.
“We’ll continue to do more when it comes to providing good quality roads and more police to keep them safe.
“On a day like today, you realise how precious life is.”
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Originally published as Baby dies after two-vehicle crash on M1 in Gaven
