Eight dead in 72 hours: Police plead for safety

‘Poor actions and decisions have grave consequences, not only for you but for those who care about you’

A number of children are dead this morning after a crash at a Garbutt intersection, Townsville. The children understood to be between the ages of eight and 12-years-old, have died after their car crashed at the intersection of Duckworth St and Bayswater Rd at 4.30am. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR

POLICE are pleading with motorists to stay safe after a string of fatal crashes over 72 hours, including the death of a newborn infant at St Lawrence.

Eight people were killed on the roads this weekend and five of the fatalities involved children.

Tragically, a pregnant woman lost her baby giving birth at Rockhampton Hospital after she was involved in a single-vehicle crash at St Lawrence.

In Townsville, a small memorial has been set up at the site where four teenagers were killed in a crash involving an allegedly stolen car on Sunday.

RACQ Capricorn Rescue airlifted two people to hospital this afternoon following a car crash on the Bruce Highway near Wumalgi.

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Queensland Police Service Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating said it had been a tragic weekend and should serve as a reminder for all motorists to drive responsibly.

"We have seen a range of circumstances where families are now without loved ones," he said.

"The number of people who have died on Queensland roads this year is up dramatically in comparison to this time last year and it's not acceptable.

"Police will continue to conduct enforcement activities; however, motorists need to take control and drive responsibly on our roads.

"Poor actions and decisions have grave consequences, not only for you but for those who care about you."

Press conference with police assistant commissioner Mike Keating about the latest road fatalities across Queensland.

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Two men were killed in a three-vehicle crash at Bethania, south of Brisbane, and a woman died at the scene of a motorcycle crash at Carole Park, south west of Brisbane.

Anyone who witnessed this weekend's serious crashes, or who may have dashcam footage, should contact police, Mr Keating said.

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