Robina crash: Nine-year-old boy passes away in hospital, outpouring of support for family from community

There has been an enormous outpouring of sympathy and support for the family of a nine-year-old boy killed by an out of-control car while on an outing with his family. Here’s what people have been saying.

The scene of the incident. Picture: 7NEWS

Social media has been filled with messages of sympathy for parents of a nine-year-old boy who has died from his injuries following a horrific car crash in Robina.

The boy and his 46-year-old father were critically injured when a car lost control and crashed into a bike they were riding on a pathway at Robina Town Centre Drive on Wednesday evening.

The boy’s mother and brother, who were also enjoying the family bike ride, witnessed the horrific scene but were not physically injured in the incident.

Despite the best efforts of Queensland Ambulance Service and hospital staff, and also numerous passers-by who rushed to help the family in the immediate aftermath of the crash, the boy sadly passed away at Gold Coast University Hospital on Thursday.

His father remains at the hospital in a serious condition.

Floral tributes at the scene of the crash that killed a nine-year-old boy at Robina Town Centre Drive on Wednesday. Picture: Richard Gosling.

The news of the boy’s death has numbed the local community, with many messages of support posted on social media.

“I saw that little boy and his dad on the bike at the 7/11 in Robina with the mum in tow after school getting snacks and drinks like all the kids do after school,” one woman wrote. “Oh man this is beyond devastating. (I am) praying for his dad’s recovery and his mum for witnessing the accident. Life is so fragile. ... My heart hurts so much for this family.”

“I couldn’t image the pain she (the mother) must be feeling right now,” another woman wrote. “Know that the whole of the Gold Coast is here to support you through this difficult time.”

Floral tributes at the scene. Picture: Richard Gosling.

Floral tributes at the scene. Picture: Richard Gosling.

Division 11 councillor Dan Doran said the tragedy had hit the Robina community hard.

“It’s something that will definitely hurt for a long time as we start to comprehend the loss of such a young life, a boy just going out for a bike ride with their family,” he said.

“It’s going to play on the minds of this community for some time and I know they’ll be generous with their support.”

In an update on Thursday, police said witnesses alleged the car involved had been driving “erratically” prior to the crash, which saw the vehicle collide with a centre barrier before careening across lanes and into the family who were riding their bikes on the footpath.

The family had been wearing helmets, but Acting Superintendent Scott Knowles said nothing could have saved them due to the “velocity” of the impact.

The 47-year-old driver of the car involved, a 2005 Honda Odyssey, was also taken to hospital with minor injuries. He was released on Thursday morning.

Police are awaiting the results of a blood sample taken from the driver, while interviews are being undertaken with multiple witnesses and the Honda mechanically inspected as the police Forensic Crash Unit investigates the cause of the tragedy.

Division 11 councillor Dan Doran.

POLICE AND AMBOS PROVIDE UPDATES ON CRASH

A nine-year-old boy seriously injured when an out-of-control car ploughed into a family riding bikes in Robina on the Gold Coast has sadly passed away in hospital.

The boy was critically injured when an electric bike ridden by his father was struck by a 2005 Honda Odyssey at Robina Town Centre Drive at 6.11pm on Wednesday.

Witnesses who spoke to police alleged that in the moments leading up to the crash the car cut off another vehicle and sped off before losing control, striking a centre traffic island and careening across the road.

Tragically, it then collided with the bike carrying the father and son, which was being ridden on a path separated from the road by a low concrete barrier.

The boy was left with critical injuries in the incident, suffering what paramedics called multi-system failure and having to be revived at the scene.

He was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital in critical condition, while his 46-year-old father was also taken to the hospital in serious condition with head and arm injuries. Sadly, the boy succumbed to his injuries and passed away on Thursday.

The boy’s mother and brother, who were riding another bike, were physically unharmed in the incident.

It is understood the family were wearing helmets and were entirely innocent victims of the crash.

QAS Senior Operations Supervisor Stuart Cutajar outside Gold Coast University Hospital. Picture: Keith Woods.

Queensland Ambulance Service senior operations supervisor Stuart Cutajar said the first ambulance was quickly on scene, where passers-by were already working to help the family.

“There were numerous bystanders assisting prior to the arrival of Queensland Ambulance Service. They did a fantastic job doing what they could,” he said.

“Within about three minutes of dispatch the first ambulance arrived on scene, so it was a very quick response. And then within about six minutes we had the High Acuity Response Unit and a doctor on the scene as well.”

Mr Cutajar said it was immediately apparent the nine-year-old was in a very serious condition.

“Advanced lifesaving measures were employed at that scene. There was a nine-year-old in a critically unstable condition. From arrival on scene through transport and arrival at hospital he remained in that condition.

“ … (He had) significant injuries. What we would say is multi-system trauma, such that at various stages CPR and advanced life-saving techniques were utilised throughout care on scene and during transport to hospital.”

The scene of the incident. Picture: 7NEWS

The 47-year-old driver of the Odyssey suffered chest injuries in the crash and was taken to hospital in a stable condition.

The crash is being investigated by the Queensland Police Service’s Forensic Crash Unit, with officers remaining at the scene into the early hours of Thursday morning as they worked to establish what had happened.

Acting Superintendent Scott Knowles said police were speaking to a number of witnesses who had seen the crash as part of that investigation.

“We know from witnesses who were there that (the driver) was allegedly driving erratically moments before – he had actually cut somebody off before he lost control,” he said.

“From that witness he did accelerate away and then shortly after that struck the centre traffic island before spearing across both lanes of traffic and striking the cyclists.”

Acting Superintendent Scott Knowles. Picture: Keith Woods.

Acting Supt Knowles said a blood sample had been taken from the driver at hospital, with police awaiting test results.

He was spoken to by police at the scene, but has not yet been formally interviewed.

“Our Forensic Crash Unit has taken over the investigation because of the seriousness of the incident. Those investigations will include the analysis of his blood but also mechanical inspections of his vehicle,” Acting Supt Knowles said.

He added that the police investigation would take some time as officers painstakingly worked to determine what happened.

“It’s very tragic. Given the circumstances they were no doubt out enjoying some family time together and this tragedy has struck their family,” he said.

“This is certainly a tragic situation, tragic circumstances. It will be up to the investigators to determine whether that tragedy was as a result of inappropriate driving behaviours, or mechanical issues, or what actually led to this situation.”

Follow @keithjwoods

Originally published as Robina crash: Nine-year-old boy passes away in hospital, outpouring of support for family from community