Woman, child dead after fatal Doomadgee crash in Far North Queensland
A remote Far North Queensland town has been shut down for sorry business after a mother and child were killed in a horrific DV-related road crash on Friday morning.
A remote Far North town has shut down for sorry business after a mother and child were killed in a single-vehicle crash on Friday morning.
Around 6.30am, emergency services were called to a traffic crash on Doomadgee Road on the outskirts of Doomadgee, a remote Indigenous township 995km west of Cairns.
The driver and four passengers were found with serious injuries.
First aid was administered to the driver, a 30-year-old Cloncurry woman, but she died at the scene.
A passenger, a 10-year-old girl, was rushed to Doomadgee Hospital where she was declared deceased.
Two other passengers were transported to Doomadgee Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and a third passenger was in a critical condition.
Earlier, a Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman confirmed two children were transported to Doomadgee Hospital in a critical condition.
“Looks like there was an infant … and a child with a shoulder injury transported to Doomadgee hospital, and a third patient, an adult female,” the spokeswoman said.
In a post to social media, Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council confirmed the town would shut down to begin sorry business.
“Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council pays their respects and sends their condolences to all the families that have lost loved ones today.
“Doomadgee Council will close at noon today and will reopen on Monday 10 November at 8.15am.”
Council also advised motorists to avoid the highway until further notice.
The Dumaji Festival of Arts and Culture, which was due to run next weekend, was also cancelled.
A QAS spokeswoman confirmed one patient had been flown to a larger hospital via the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Police have arrested a 28-year-old Doomadgee man following the crash.
A crime scene has been declared, and investigations are ongoing.
The 28-year-old man was known to the deceased and was taken into custody shortly after.
There is no ongoing threat to the community.
Doomadgee State School Principal Jess Wilson said on the school’s social media that they would offer support and counselling for “anyone who needs it for as long as it is required.”
“Our thoughts and sincere sympathies go out to the family, caregivers, friends and loved ones of those affected,” Ms Wilson said.
“We understand the news will bring great sadness and shock to our students, staff and families.
“In times like these, our strength lies in our unity … As a community, we will rally together to support one another and ensure all members of the school community feel cared for.”
Police are urging to the community to remain respectful as investigations continue.
The Queensland Police Service stated officers were supporting the Doomadgee community through this difficult time.
Doomadgee is an outback town situated in The Gulf of Carpentaria, situated about 140km from the Northern Territory border, with an estimated population of around 1300 people.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information 24 hours per day.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, you should report it to police.
Support and counselling is available from the following agencies:
• DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811
• DVConnect Mensline: 1800 600 636
• 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
• 13YARN: 13 92 76
More information is also available from the Queensland Government Domestic and Family Violence portal.
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Originally published as Woman, child dead after fatal Doomadgee crash in Far North Queensland
