Amy MacMahon crash: Confronting footage shows Greens MP involved in Kangaroo Point car crash
Confronting footage has captured a two-car crash that left Greens MP Amy MacMahon in a serious condition, with one witness describing it as being ‘like an explosion’.
QLD Politics
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD Politics. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Confronting CCTV footage has captured the moment a car ploughed into Greens MP Amy MacMahon’s vehicle leaving her seriously injured.
Ms MacMahon, 37, sustained a serious head injury in the two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Main and Baines streets, Kangaroo Point, on Monday night.
Footage of the incident, which happened around 6.30pm, showed a Hyundai i30 colliding with Ms MacMahon’s Toyota Prius as it travelled through a set of lights.
Vision of the incident, captured on CCTV and obtained by The Courier-Mail, showed the moment of collision that put three people in hospital.
Ms MacMahon was treated for head and suspected spinal injuries and taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a serious condition.
The occupants of the i30 - a woman in her 20s and a man in his 30s - were taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital in stable conditions.
The woman suffered chest, abdominal and suspected spinal injuries.
The man suffered facial, chest and suspected spinal injuries.
Ms MacMahon’s party colleague, Michael Berkman, released a heartfelt statement providing an update on her condition, revealing she is stable but in a serious condition.
He said the Member for South Brisbane is responsive and resting at the PA Hospital.
Ms MacMahon was driving away from a Greens’ free community dinner at Raymond Park and was heading towards another community event when she was involved in the terrifying incident.
Mr Berkman said described the footage of Amy MacMahon’s accident as “harrowing” and revealed a party colleague witnessed the terrifying incident.
Brisbane councillor Trina Massey had attended a nearby free community dinner at Raymond Park run by the political party and watched as a vehicle smashed into Ms MacMahon, the Greens MP said.
Mr Berkman was visibly emotional as he fronted media after watching footage online of the serious crash.
“It’s quite harrowing to watch and it gives a clearer sense of how serious the incident was,” Mr Berkman said.
“Having looked at the footage online, it’s tough to see that footage, so my thoughts are with Trina as well.”
Mr Berkman said it was “impossible to say at this stage” if Ms MacMahon’s recovery would take weeks or months.
“We know she is getting great care (and) she’s in the best possible place that she could be and while all the relevant specialists continue to address her condition, we’ll just play it by ear,” he said.
The Greens MP said the party’s staff had been “overwhelmed with well-wishes and concerns for Amy” and expressed gratitude to the community.
“Anyone who knows Amy will know how keen she’ll be to get back out there serving more free community dinners and fighting for her community as soon as possible,” Mr Berkman said.
“She’s a beloved friend and comrade, a fierce advocate for her community, and someone I’m proud to serve alongside.”
East Brisbane Express owner David Burgess was at the Pineapple Hotel with his friend when he heard the crash describing it as a “mighty boom”..
“It was like a bomb going off,” Mr Burgess said.
“She just lives down the road so when she left the community event I thought she had gone home.
“When I saw the incident on Facebook I just couldn’t believe it.”
Mr Burgess said he had done some volunteer work with Ms MacMahon.
“She’s lovely, she’s always doing community events,” Mr Burgess said.
Greens lord mayoral candidate Jonathan Sriranganathan took to Facebook to share his concern for Ms MacMahon’s health.
“We’re all thinking of Amy and wishing her a speedy recovery. She’s such a freaking trooper,” Mr Sriranganathan said.
“I do hope she won’t feel pressure to rush back to work, and will take time to rest.”
Kangaroo Point resident Sindy Chang also saw the aftermath of the crash.
“Because the driver seat was severely damaged, she couldn’t get off her car,” Ms Chang said.
“She had to wait until the ambulance officers pulled her out.”
Ms Chang said the two inside the other vehicle looked like they were also injured.
“The man was more severe. He was sitting on the floor, then lying down,” she said.
“The woman was less severe. She walked on the ambulance.”
A witness told The Courier-Mail the other people involved had been “shaken up” but unhurt.
“(I) Was also on the scene straight away when it happened. It was not great seeing Amy in that state,” the comment read.
“I also ran up to check the other people in the car and they were not hurt more shaken up. But I also went back on our motel cameras and it was a huge hit to Amy’s car.
“I pray she is doing well and gets back on her feet soon. I also had to get some debris off the road as other cars were just driving over it.”
Kangaroo Point resident Nicole Valentine said she alerted by a “loud sound” from the crash when she was at her residence.
“It was extremely loud. It was like an explosion,” Ms Valentine said.
“Once I heard the first part of the crash, I looked out the window and I saw the car smashed into another car on the other side of the road and then stop a little bit for about five meters further up from the last crash.
“It was horrible, really horrible.”
More Coverage
Hiding under the bed: Premier, you caused this mess, why don’t you fix it?
David Crisafulli was the presiding minister when the LNP let the loonies loose on water fluoridation, writes Robert Schwarten.
Read more
Editor’s view: Latest proof health portfolio is a poisoned chalice
While many of their problems may be inherited, Tim Nicholls and his director-general need to come to grips with the beast, and quickly, writes the editor.
Read more