Two dead following multi-vehicle crash on Capricorn Highway near Stanwell Power Station

A Central Queensland paramedic is being praised for his efforts to try and save a patient and nurse who were passengers in the ambulance he was driving, after it was struck by a truck near Rockhampton.

Despite being injuredhimself, the paramedic driver of an ambulance that was rear-ended by a truck in a fatal traffic crash at Stanwell on Monday worked through the shock and trauma to try and save the lives of two passengers in the ambulance.

Tragically, an 87-year-old male patient and a 65-year-old registered nurse, who worked for Queensland Health, died at the scene on the Capricorn Highway west of Rockhampton.

The ambulance, which was doing a patient transfer from Biloela to Rockhampton, was stationary in the eastbound lane when it was sandwiched between two heavy vehicles.

A B-double truck was stopped at a temporary traffic light at roadworks and the ambulance was parked behind it when another single-tanker truck failed to stop and hit the ambulance at speed.

The ambulance was severely impacted in the rear and pushed into the B-Double in front, causing both vehicles to roll.

The tanker truck that struck the ambulance was also significantly damaged, with its entire tank and cab destroyed.

QPS Acting Superintendent Mark Burgess and QAS’ Loretta Johnson speaking about the Stanwell fatal crash tragedy.

At the Rockhampton Police Station on Tuesday, a sombre mood hung in the air as Queensland Police Service Capricornia Acting Superintendent Mark Burgess stood side-by-side with Queensland Ambulance Service Acting Director of Central Queensland District Loretta Johnson to speak about the horrific incident.

Mr Burgess paid tribute to the “dedication and professionalism” of the paramedic driver.

“For their actions… there is reasonable expectation when you are involved in an incident of that nature that shock would set in, but from my information… the ambulance officer in question immediately rendered first aid assistance to those people who were injured,” he said

The incident occurred just after midday on Monday and closed the highway late into the night.

He said the vehicles involved had been seized for mechanical inspections, the “circumstances are complex” and there were a lot of factors to work through before police considered any charges.

Queensland Police Service Capricornia Acting Superintendent Mark Burgess at Rockhampton Police Station.

“It is fair to say there was significant impact between two heavy vehicles and QAS vehicle,” Mr Burgess said.

“Investigations remain ongoing into the exact cause.

“There will be a number of enquiries over a long period of time.

“There are a lot of aspects to review and look at… that will be a lengthy process.

“We need to get this right; we owe it to the people… two people have tragically lost their lives.”

Police are appealing for any dashcam footage from anyone who was driving in the area, even before the time of the crash, so they can get an understanding of the environmental factors on the day.

“(We) appeal for any person that was driving along Capricorn Highway from 10.30 yesterday (Monday October 12), if they have any dashcam footage, of the roadway, of the environment at the time, regardless of what is reported, can they please make contact with police,” Mr Burgess said.

Ms Johnson empathised with all of those involved in the tragic incident.

“Firstly, I just wish to offer my condolences and sympathies to the families that were involved in this incident yesterday and acknowledge the work of our frontline staff, paramedics, that were involved in that incident,” she said.

“They will continue to get outstanding support from the Queensland Ambulance Service.

“Our focus is providing support to our staff, the driver that was involved and those families.”

A patient transfer from smaller communities to Rockhampton is a routine task, with paramedics undertaking them dozens of times a week, but sadly this transfer had a devastating result.

“We are frontline staff and we go about performing our duties every day and unfortunately yesterday this event has occurred,” Ms Johnson said.

Central Queensland and Hospital Service chief executive Steve Williamson offered his deepest sympathies to everyone involved in the tragic accident.

“We lost a loved member of our CQ Health family yesterday, and I offer my sincere condolences not only to his family and loved ones, but also to his colleagues at Biloela Hospital and the wider CQ Health organisation,” he said.

“Our thoughts are also with our emergency services colleagues, as always.”

Health and Ambulance Services Minister Yvette D’Ath acknowledged the incident in Queensland Parliament on Tuesday morning.

“It is with regret I inform the House of a fatal traffic incident which occurred inland of Rockhampton yesterday,” she said.

“The incident near Stanwell involved a Queensland Ambulance Service vehicle travelling to Rockhampton from Biloela carrying patient and Queensland Health staff.

“Tragically a truck collided with the ambulance resulting in two fatalities, one patient and one Queensland Health nurse.

“My sympathies, and I am sure those of members of the parliament, go out to the family, friends and colleagues who have been affected by this tragic incident.

“Today my director-general, Dr John Wakefield, and the acting ambulance commission, Craig Emery, along with other staff, will visit staff and colleagues in Rockhampton and Biloela to provide support following this tragic event.”

The driver of the ambulance and two additional male passengers in the ambulance were also transported to the Rockhampton Hospital where they remain in a stable condition.

The driver of the truck, a 41-year-old man, was flown from the scene by RACQ Capricorn Rescue to Rockhampton Hospital in a serious condition.

The helicopter landed on scene around 1.15pm and left around 1.45pm.

Forensic Crash Unit officers are investigating.

A Workplace Health and Safety Queensland Inspector and Investigator also attended the scene.