Robina crash: Nine-year-old boy fights for life in hospital

Witnesses have told police a car was seen driving erratically moments before the driver lost control and ploughed into a family out riding their bikes leaving a nine-year-old critically injured. Latest details.

The scene of the incident. Picture: 7NEWS

Witnesses have told police a car was seen driving erratically moments before the driver lost control and ploughed into a family out riding their bikes.

A nine-year-old boy is fighting for his life in hospital after an electric bike ridden by his father was struck by a 2005 Honda Odyssey at Robina Town Centre Drive at 6.11pm on Wednesday. The boy was a passenger on the bike.

Witnesses alleged the car cut off another vehicle and sped off before losing control, striking a centre traffic island and careening across the road.

Tragically, it then collided with the bike carrying the father and son, which was being ridden on a path separated from the road by a low concrete barrier.

The boy was left with critical injuries in the incident, suffering what paramedics called multi-system failure and having to be revived at the scene.

He was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital in critical condition, while his 46-year-old father was also taken to the hospital in serious condition with head and arm injuries. The boy’s mother and brother, who were riding another bike, were physically unharmed in the incident.

It is understood the family were wearing helmets and were entirely innocent victims of the crash.

QAS Senior Operations Supervisor Stuart Cutajar outside Gold Coast University Hospital. Picture: Keith Woods.

Queensland Ambulance Service senior operations supervisor Stuart Cutajar said the first ambulance was quickly on scene, where passers-by were already working to help the family.

“There were numerous bystanders assisting prior to the arrival of Queensland Ambulance Service. They did a fantastic job doing what they could,” he said.

“Within about three minutes of dispatch the first ambulance arrived on scene, so it was a very quick response. And then within about six minutes we had the High Acuity Response Unit and a doctor on the scene as well.”

Mr Cutajar said it was immediately apparent the nine-year-old was in a very serious condition.

“Advanced lifesaving measures were employed at that scene. There was a nine-year-old in a critically unstable condition. From arrival on scene through transport and arrival at hospital he remained in that condition.

“ … (He had) significant injuries. What we would say is multi-system trauma, such that at various stages CPR and advanced life-saving techniques were utilised throughout care on scene and during transport to hospital.”

The scene of the incident. Picture: 7NEWS

The 47-year-old driver of the Odyssey suffered chest injuries in the crash and was taken to hospital in a stable condition.

The crash is being investigated by the Queensland Police Service’s Forensic Crash Unit, with officers remaining at the scene into the early hours of Thursday morning as they worked to establish what had happened.

Acting Superintendent Scott Knowles said police were speaking to a number of witnesses who had seen the crash as part of that investigation.

“We know from witnesses who were there that (the driver) was driving erratically moments before. He had actually cut somebody off before he lost control,” he said.

“From that witness he did accelerate away and then shortly after that struck the centre traffic island before spearing across both lanes of traffic and striking the cyclists.”

Acting Superintendent Scott Knowles. Picture: Keith Woods.

Acting Supt Knowles said a blood sample had been taken from the driver at hospital, with police awaiting test results.

He was spoken to by police at the scene, but has not yet been formally interviewed.

“Our Forensic Crash Unit has taken over the investigation because of the seriousness of the incident. Those investigations will include the analysis of his blood but also mechanical inspections of his vehicle,” Acting Supt Knowles said.

He added that the police investigation would take some time as officers painstakingly worked to determine what happened.

“It’s very tragic. Given the circumstances they were no doubt out enjoying some family time together and this tragedy has struck their family,” he said.

“This is certainly a tragic situation, tragic circumstances. It will be up to the investigators to determine whether that tragedy was as a result of inappropriate driving behaviours, or mechanical issues, or what actually led to this situation.”

Follow @keithjwoods

Originally published as Robina crash: Nine-year-old boy fights for life in hospital