One person dead, five children hurt in ‘horrific’ multi-car crash at Rothwell

A 14-year-old boy has died and five children have been seriously injured in a crash involving a stolen car north of Brisbane that witnesses described as the stuff “nightmares are made of”. Pictures: 7 News, Moreton Alert

UPDATE: A 14-year-old boy has died and 10 other patients have been treated by paramedics after a “horrific” multi-car crash at Rothwell this afternoon.

The crash occurred at the intersection of Wattle St and Anzac Ave, Rothwell at 2.50pm.

Police say initial investigations suggest a car travelling along Anzac Ave lost control and struck a power pole near Wattle Rd.

The car was allegedly stolen from a shopping centre at Kallangur earlier in the day before being driven at speed along Anzac Avenue and through a red light.

The alleged driver of the vehicle, a 14-year-old Waterford West boy, sustained critical injuries and was transported to the Queensland Children’s Hospital.

A person has died and five children have been seriously injured in a crash north of Brisbane. Picture: Moreton Alert

Emergency services say they were only able to retrieve the deceased teen, a boy from Maleny who was in the front passenger seat, from the vehicle about 5.40pm, nearly two hours after the crash, because the car was so severely damaged.

Four other female passengers of the vehicle aged 10, 13, 14 and 16 also sustained injuries, one of them critical and were transported to hospital.

The driver of the vehicle that was struck, a 26-year-old woman, escaped serious injury along with her four children who were passengers at the time of the collision.

Paramedics assessed five other patients who did not require transport.

One of the vehicles involved was almost split in two. Picture: Moreton Alert

Earlier:

Witnesses took to the Redcliffe & Bayside Herald Facebook page to described the crash.

Kimmy Delaporte said it was “most traumatic car crash I have ever seen”.

Beverley Brady said: OMG. I saw it. Horrendous. Nightmares are made of this kind of awful event”.

The scene of the crash at Rothwell. Picture: 7 News Brisbane

Kirsty Mitchell said: “Absolutely horrific to see all those people on the ground and the condition of the cars. I pray all the people who helped and where involved are going to be OK”.

Many others are sending prayers to all involved.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services had to use hydraulic equipment to remove one of the vehicles which has become wrapped around a pole.

A QFES spokesman said a semi-trailer and ute were involved.

“The ute has been totalled but the truck driver appears to be uninjured,” he said.

“We had six crews on scene assisting police and ambulance.”

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The crash occurred about 2.50pm on the corner of Anzac Avenue and Bremner Road, Rothwell in peak hour school traffic and continues to cause chaos for motorists.

There has been a serious crash reported at the intersection of Anzac Ave and Bremner Rd at Rothwell, north of Brisbane. Image: Google Maps for Redcliffe Herald

A Queensland Police spokeswoman advised motorists to avoid the area.

“Being school time, it is traffic hell,” she said.

“There are police, ambulance and fire fighters at the crash. It appears to be quite serious.”