‘Awful tragedy’: Boy, 13, charged after horror stolen car crash kills three, including nurse

A nurse is among three females killed in a horror crash overnight allegedly involving a stolen Mercedes driven by a 13-year-old boy who was known to police.

Skid marks at the scene of the Maryborough crash where three people died. Picture: Carlie Walker

A nurse is among three females killed in a horror crash in Maryborough overnight allegedly involving a stolen car driven by a 13-year-old boy who was known to police.

Police described the crash as “very concerning” and a tragic set of circumstances that will cause ripple effects throughout the community.

The crash happened about 10.45pm when an allegedly stolen Mercedes-Benz was travelling south on Saltwater Creek Road near Sydney Street and collided with the rear of a Holden.

The Holden then crashed into a Mazda headed towards Hervey Bay.

Glass could be seen at the scene of the crash. Picture: Carlie Walker

The driver and passenger of the Holden, a 17-year-old Oakhurst girl and 29-year-old Maryborough woman, died at the scene.

The 17-year-old girl has been identified as former Riverside Christian College student Kelsie Davies.

Oakhurst’s Kelsie Davies died when a stolen vehicle, allegedly being driven by a 13-year-old Bundaberg boy, crashed into the back of the Holden she in.

The driver and only occupant of the Mazda, a 52-year-old Torquay woman, also died at the scene.

A 23-year-old Tinana woman travelling in the Holden was airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a critical condition.

The alleged driver of the Mercedes-Benz, a 13-year-old from Bundaberg, sustained minor injuries to his foot.

He was taken to hospital but released shortly after and taken to the Maryborough watch house where he was charged with three counts of dangerous operation of motor vehicle causing death and one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

He is due before Maroochydore Childrens Court at a later date.

It is believed a passenger from the Mercedes-Benz fled the scene and enquiries are continuing to verify this information.

It will be further alleged the Mercedes-Benz was stolen from a house on Dalhousie St, Maryborough, at 8.40pm Sunday.

The scene of the horror crash. Picture: Carlie Walker

The Maryborough crash brings the official death toll on Queensland roads for 2023 to 80.

This time last year there were 93 fatalities recorded.

Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip and Assistant Commissioner Brian Connors held a press conference at noon on Monday, where it was confirmed one of those who died in the crash was a nurse.

Assistant Commissioner Brian Connors said the circumstances around the crash were tragic that will have a ripple impact in the community.

“It’s very concerning to have any crash like this, but for one to be so severe there will no doubt be ripple effects right across the community of Wide Bay and around the Maryborough community,” he said.

“I know that a number of people that attended the scene have reported to us just how severe the feelings were as a direct result of those persons who were involved who are known to community members and also known to first responders.

“I’ve advised that one of the decreased involved in this tragic incident is a local Queensland health employee who was a nurse who works at the hospital who had finished a shift last evening.

“And that one of the (other crash victims) also who was critically injured is related to the police family through local members here in the district in Hervey Bay.”

Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip and Assistant Commissioner Brian Connors.

Police provide an update. Pictures: Liam Kidston, John Gass

Assistant Commissioner Connors said the 13-year-old alleged driver of the Mercedes-Benz was known to local police.

Mr Connors said police were investigating the alleged theft of the car and how it was used up until the fatal crash.

He said police were told the car had been stolen “several hours” before the crash, however there had not been any form of pursuit with police.

Mr Connors denied there was any resourcing issues with police on Sunday.

He said police were continuing to investigate how the accused boy had travelled from Bundaberg to Maryborough.

“There is no connection or involvement with police at all at any stage of this incident, from the time the vehicle was (allegedly) stolen until the time of the incident,” he said.

Police provide an update on the triple fatal crash. Picture: Carlie Walker

Mr Connors reiterated the impact the crash would have on the community.

“All of the persons involved, from the victim-side of the event are all local people who have roots in the community,” Mr Connors said.

He added the victims were “going about their lives rather routinely”.

“So I can imagine the community of Maryborough and Hervey Bay will be greatly affected by this tragedy.”

Mr Connors said police were still investigating if there was a passenger in the car with the boy.

Queensland Ambulance Service Senior Operations Supervisor Martin Kelly said: “These are very tragic events”.

“We still have one person fighting for their life in Brisbane,” he said.

“These are difficult times...these are feelings people are going to feel forever.”

Ambulance officers described the horror crash as a ‘very tragic event’. Picture: Carlie Walker

Investigations are continuing and anyone who saw the silver Mercedes-Benz travelling in the Maryborough and Hervey Bay area prior to the crash, is urged to contact police.

Anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage is asked to come forward.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Monday described the incident as an “awful tragedy”.

“In my job as Premier, perhaps some of the hardest phone calls I receive are the phone calls about tragedies that happen in our state,” she said.

“I understand that the police contacted the families. I also understand the police will have more to say about this.

“Can I say to Queenslanders, this is an awful, awful tragedy. It just should not be happening. Our hearts go out to the families tonight and our deepest condolences.”

A number of youth justice measures passed the Queensland parliament only last month.

“I don’t want to say too much about that today,” Ms Palaszczuk said, when asked if the recently introduced laws would be reviewed in the future.

“My understanding was that they do have to be reviewed.

“But today is a day of mourning for the (deceased) and today is a day for the families.”

Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said he was heartbroken by the tragedy in his city.

Mr Saunders said he had cancelled a scheduled trip to Longreach because he needed to be in his community right now.

“It’s just devastating, absolutely devastating,” he said.

Mr Saunders said comforting the families who had lost loved ones and supporting the first responders who had attended the scene was the priority in coming days.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said it was a heart-breaking tragedy for the community.

“Lives of boundless love and potential have been cut short,” he said.

“As a community we are grieving.”

Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien described the crash as “truly horrific”.

“The reports of three people being killed and one seriously injured in a traffic crash in Maryborough last night are truly horrific,” Mr O’Brien wrote on social media.

“My thoughts are with the families of those who have been tragically taken from them and the seriously injured person who was airlifted to the Royal Brisbane Hospital in a critical condition.”

Fraser Coast councillor Paul Truscott said he was saddened by the news.

“The news of this crash is absolutely heart-breaking,” he said.

“I can’t imagine what the families are going through right now, but I know that our community mourns with you at this time.

“This news hurts us all and reminds us of the frailty of human life and to hold onto our loved ones.”