Boy, 14, critical after alleged stolen car crash in Cairns

Police have revealed what an alleged 13-year-old car thief was doing behind the wheel before she crashed into a tree leaving a 14-year-old boy in a critical condition. See the latest.

A 13-year-old alleged car thief who crashed into a tree leaving one of her two passengers in a critical condition was allegedly live-streaming the incident.

Far North District Crime Group Detective Inspector Kevin Goan said two teenagers had been charged following the incident in the vicinity of Farmer and Barney streets at Edmonton about 5.25pm on Monday.

“We see a 13-year-old Kuranda girl who was the alleged driver of the vehicle during the crash,” he said.

“She has been charged and bail denied. She appeared before Cairns Childrens Court (Wednesday) morning.”

She was charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing grievous bodily harm while excessively speeding, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and unlicensed driving and use of a mobile phone.

Three teenagers allegedly lost control of a stolen car and crashed into a tree at Edmonton. Picture: Facebook - Cairns, Crimes and Alerts.

“We allege she was live streaming the activities of the vehicle on social media,” he said.

The girl was also charged with serious assault of a police officer causing bodily harm following an incident at the hospital.

“She’s taken it upon herself to assault the officer in the head and body,” he said.

“She (the police officer) is injured, the issue there of course is that officer was performing her duties ensuring her safe detention, and this young offender has taken it upon herself to assault the officer.

“We would allege that it is an attempt by her to leave the hospital while receiving treatment.”

The girl will remain in custody and is set to appear at Cairns Childrens Court again in November.

The second youth charged was a 17-year-old passenger who remains at Cairns Hospital for further observation.

Detective Inspector Kevin Goan has provided details about the crash at Edmonton. Picture: Brendan Radke

“He has been charged with one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle,” he said.

“He will when considered fit for custody be taken through to Cairns Watchhouse where we intend to oppose his bail.”

The third passenger, a 14-year-old boy, was flown from Cairns Hospital to Townsville Hospital in a critical condition.

A Townsville Hospital spokesman confirmed he was still in a critical condition on Wednesday afternoon.

A government spokesperson said police in the Far North were committed to disrupting and responding to any criminal offending.

“Queensland has the toughest youth justice laws in the nation, including the presumption against bail which is keeping more offenders in custody for longer,” they said.

“Through the Youth Justice Taskforce, case management of every serious repeat youth offender has also been introduced.

“This intensive case management is being overseen by a multi-agency collaboration panel in Cairns to help reduce reoffending.”

TEENS DRIVE KURANDA RANGE

A top cop has voiced his concerns after an “inexperienced” 13-year-old girl allegedly drove down the windy Kuranda Range road and along busy highways for about an hour until the car smashed into a tree.

Far North District Crime Group Detective Inspector Kevin Goan said three children were involved in the serious crash at the vicinity of Farmer and Barney Street at Edmonton about 5.25pm on Monday.

One boy, 14, is now fighting for his life in hospital with critical injuries.

“What is concerning to us is we have an inexperienced driver traversing a notorious stretch of road in the Kuranda Range Road,” Det Insp Goan said.

Video: Teens in alleged daylight robs as theft climb to 5.5 daily

“We have an inexperienced young driver, driving on a three-lane motorway at a time where other lawful road users are and we are very thankful there have been no innocent third party injured.”

Some early details first provided to the media by police were incorrect, however in a press conference Det Insp Goan went on to correct the details around the ages and alleged drivers of the car.

A serious crash has closed the Bruce Highway south of Ingham

“A young girl, aged 13-years-old we understand, was the driver of the vehicle,” he said.

“There’s a 17-year-old male youth who comes from Earlville and a 14-year-old boy who has been airlifted to Townsville in a critical condition.

A 14-year-old boy is in a critical condition after a crash.

“It’s likely on the advice of medical personnel in Townsville that his condition won’t alter in the next two to three days and of course we hope for the best for him.”

Det Insp Goan said the other two young people with minor injuries would be arrested and taken to Cairns Watch House then charged

“I expect they will be released later today and will be considered fit for custody,” he said.

“At which time our investigators will be able to go about interviewing, arresting and processing those young people. It will be the case where we will oppose bail.”
Det Insp Goan said the three youth were known to police.

He said the 14-year-old boy from Edmonton was pulled from the car, while the 17-year-old man ran to call an ambulance from a nearby street.

The car was stolen about 3.30pm from Kuranda and was later reported stolen by the owners.

“It was from a Kuranda residence, we say the 13-year-old youth had been residing at the address and had stolen the vehicle.

Originally published as Boy, 14, critical after alleged stolen car crash in Cairns