‘Definitely carnage’: First responders of fatal crash describe horror scene

Police have described a Bruce Hwy triple-fatal as one of the worst crashes they had seen, as emergency services fought to save the lives of those involved. Warning: Distressing content

Emergency services and first responders were faced with a horror scene after a three-car crash on the Bruce Hwy around 4am Friday.

The first on the scene of a horrific fatal crash on the Bruce Highway have described the carnage they witnessed as emergency services fought to save the lives of those involved.

The three car crash occurred about 4am near exit 244 in Federal, after a stolen car chasing and trying to ram a silver Nissan Navara lost control and crashed.

The driver of the Nissan Navara, a 65-year-old man, and a 25-year-old woman passenger died at the scene.

A 38-year-old woman and sole occupant of a blue Great Wall utility also died.

The sole survivor of the crash was the 25-year-old driver of the stolen vehicle.

Police at the scene Friday morning said it was one of the worst crashes they’ve ever seen.

Clayton’s Towing chief executive Mike Clayton said his crew was one of the first to arrive at the shocking scene, alongside emergency services.

Clayton’s Towing crews were among the first on the scene of a horror crash at Federal, north of the Sunshine Coast.

“It was mayhem,” he said.

“There were people on the ground, people trapped in vehicles, debris spread down the highway.

“It was definitely carnage, with severe damage to all the vehicles involved.”

Superintendent Ben Fadian said during a press conference on Friday that the Navara crossed onto the southbound lanes of the Bruce Highway, where it collided with the blue Great Wall ute.

One of the cars involved in the crash had been stolen.

Police allege the woman had been in a relationship with the 25-year-old man in the stolen vehicle. They are investigating whether the 65-year-old man was a good Samaritan trying to help her escape.

Mr Clayton said once his crews realised it involved a stolen vehicle, the tragedy really hit home.

“It’s never easy for anyone on the scene and the emergency services are on the scene trying to save lives,” he said.

“But there are innocent parties that have passed away.

“And it’s the person in the stolen vehicle that survives.”

Mr Clayton said one the hardest parts was when next of kin and families come into the impound yard to retrieve items from the vehicles

“You’re putting a face to the people behind it, who have got to grieve through a difficult situation,” he said.

The crash site in Federal was declared a crime scene after the deaths of three people.

“That’s always not an easy conversation with the mother, brother, sister or whomever of those who passed away.”

Mr Clayton said it had been a tough morning but his crew was OK.

“There are always thoughts for the first people who come across this type of accident,” he said.

“But emergency responders, they’re in there trying to save lives so hats off to those guys.

“It’s a tough job.”