Bruce Hwy traffic chaos as nine vehicles pile up at Meridan Plains
One of the first on the scene of a dramatic nine-car pileup at the Bruce Hwy has estimated it caused in excess of $1m in damage. NEW PICS, VIDEO
Sunshine Coast
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Drivers have been urged to drive to the conditions following a nine-vehicle pile up at the Bruce Hwy as the south-east was smashed by wet weather.
Emergency services rushed to the scene at the Bruce Hwy southbound at Meridan Plains, two kilometres south of the Caloundra interchange, after the crash was reported around 1.40pm.
The highway was closed for about three hours and eight people were rushed to hospital in stable conditions.
Clayton’s Towing Service’s Dean Ryan said it was one of the biggest crashes he had ever attended.
“There were a couple of trucks, couple of cars, and a caravan involved, there would be over $1m there in damage,” Mr Ryan said.
He said it was lucky no one was seriously injured.
“Considering there were nine vehicles involved and given the severity of the crash, it is pretty remarkable that there were no serious injuries,” he said.
“They’re all pretty lucky in that regard.”
Police were diverting drivers via Caloundra Rd and Steve Irwin Way until the lanes reopened after 4.30pm.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesperson said eight people were taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in stable conditions.
Paramedics assessed 12 people at the scene however no serious injuries were reported.
Sunshine Coast Police inspector Brad Inskip urged drivers to be extra cautious.
“I just urge everyone to drive to the conditions, when it is wet, slow down, it gets dark and slippery especially when we haven‘t had decent rain in a little while,” Mr Inskip said.
Mr Ryan echoed those comments and urged motorists to drive to the conditions.
“I think the biggest contributing factor was the heavy rain, people need to drive to the conditions,” Mr Ryan said.
“People need to keep their headlights on and slow down.”
Further north more traffic chaos ensued as emergency services responded to a separate two vehicle crash on the Bruce Hwy southbound near the Buderim exit at Tanawha.
A Queensland Police Service spokesman advised that the crash resulted in the left lane southbound being closed, resulting in traffic slowing in the right lane heading southbound.
Three patients were assessed by paramedics however did not need to go to hospital.
The crash follows a horror weekend on Queensland roads which included the death of a 17-year-old near Maryborough after his 4WD crashed into trees.
A Pioneer Valley man also died in a horror Father’s Day crash between a coal truck and a 4WD.
The 45-year-old man from Owens Creek, west of Mackay, died in Moranbah Hospital on Sunday just hours after a two vehicle crash at Dysart.
Further north, a man was killed on the Flinders Highway, west of Townsville on Monday morning.
Meanwhile, the Sunshine Coast has been hit by torrential rain on Monday afternoon.
Storms have formed over the southeast after a severe cell smashed the Gold Coast as unstable weather conditions continue.
#MeridanPlains - Paramedics are on the scene of a traffic crash involving approximately nine vehicles that occurred on the Bruce Highway southbound at 1.40pm. Traffic is likely to be impacted in the area.
— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) September 4, 2023
Thunderstorms began impacting Brisbane and Sunshine Coast areas about 1pm, dumping widespread rainfall.
Brisbane Airport and Nambour received 8mm in less than an hour, while Redcliffe and Tewantin received 1.4mm and 1.8mm respectively.
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