Fiery crash leaves three seriously hurt, shuts Bribie off for hours
Police say a man involved in a head-on crash that left three people seriously hurt fled the scene. The fiery crash closed the Bribie Island bridge to all traffic for several hours.
QLD News
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A man has yet to be located after he allegedly fled the scene of a head-on crash on the Bribie Bridge that left three people seriously injured in hospital.
The fiery two-car crash happened about 12.20pm and closed the bridge to all traffic for four hours.
Police said initial inquiries suggest a silver Mazda wagon with a registration 075XAO was travelling eastbound (towards Caboolture) when it crossed onto the wrong side of the road and collided head-on with a red Kia wagon.
Initial reports indicate a large amount of fuel was spilt from one of the cars, causing a fire that could be seen from several kilometres away.
A QFES spokesman confirmed that at least one car caught on fire as a result of the crash, with “a large amount of fuel” being leaked from the vehicle.
A man, 74, who was driving the Kia was taken to hospital in a serious condition.
The female driver, 46, and a male passenger, 71, of the Mazda were taken to hospital in a serious condition.
All three had chest and abdominal injuries.
Another man, who was a passenger in the Mazda left the scene before emergency services arrived, police allege.
The man is well known to police and was last seen on foot heading towards Bribie Island.
He is not a danger to the community, a police spokeswoman said.
The bridge reopened by 5pm but there were still 45-minute delays to reach the island at 5.30pm, with heavy traffic back to Ningi.
Locals and commuters stuck in the delays took to social media.
“We’re waiting for traffic, it’s virtually a car park” one commenter said.
“All traffic getting turned away from bridge on Bribie side” another posted.
The fire was reportedly put out just before 1pm.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the crash, the Mazda vehicle prior to the crash, or has any dashcam footage, to contact Policelink on 131 444.
Forensic Crash Unit investigations are continuing.
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