Woman killed in horror Mulgowie, Lockyer Valley crash identified as mum-of-two, seasonal worker Vaena “Mela” Michael
People across the world are mourning the 28-year-old woman who died in a Lockyer Valley car crash this week, with new details revealing she was a mum-of-two working in Australia and counting down the days to return to her children in Vanuatu.
Ipswich
Don't miss out on the headlines from Ipswich. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A woman who tragically died in a horror crash at the Lockyer Valley this week has been identified as Vaena “Mela” Michael.
The 28-year-old mum was working on a Queensland farm to support her two children she was desperate to return home to in Vanuatu.
Initial investigations suggest two cars travelling in opposite directions along Mulgowie Rd, Mulgowie collided about 9pm on Sunday, killing Ms Michael and critically injuring at least two others.
Police confirmed Ms Michael was a seasonal worker from Vanuatu who had been living in temporary accommodation at Grantham Farmworkers Lodge.
A post shared to her Facebook on December 31 last year stated she was “365 days down”, suggesting she had spent a year working in Australia — most recently understood to be Lockyer Valley farm — to support her family, and was eager to return home to her children.
She was a rear passenger in one of the cars involved in the crash and was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the car she was in, along with three other passengers, were taken to hospital on Sunday. One person remains in a critical condition.
Laidley police Acting Senior Sergeant Dan Curtin said he understood the driver and all four passengers of the car were seasonal workers from Vanuatu.
The 39-year-old man who was driving the car was taken to Ipswich Hospital in a serious but stable condition, while two men in their 30s were flown by helicopter to Princess Alexandra Hospital in critical conditions.
One of the two men was treated for an open skull fracture while the second, who was trapped inside the car, suffered significant lower chest injuries and altered consciousness.
A woman, 49, suffered a compound fracture to her femur and was also taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a serious condition.
The driver of the second car, a 66-year-old man, suffered minor injuries and was treated by paramedics at the scene.
Queensland Ambulance Service senior operations supervisor Mark Benstead said high acuity paramedics attended the crash.
“As a result of this crash two patients were flown through to the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) in a critical condition,” Mr Benstead said on Monday.
“One patient was taken by road to the PAH in a serious condition and another patient was taken to Ipswich General Hospital in a serious but stable condition.”
With parts of southeast Queensland on flood watch, Mr Benstead urged all drivers to take care on the roads.
“At this time I just urge everyone to exercise caution on the roads in part with the wet weather conditions that have occurred over night,” he said.
‘Look who has turned up’: Dick finally meets debate rival
Cardboard cut-out Jarrod Bleijie has made a surprise visit to meet Cameron Dick ahead of their big debate on Thursday. SEE THE VIDEO
Safe and well: Qld family’s search for younger brother ends well
A Queensland family’s desperate search for a 28-year-old seemingly missing without a trace in Spain has ended well with the family reporting he has been found safe.