Driver dead after car hits Hermit Park, Townsville tree, bursts into flames

Neighbours have recounted the moments leading up to a horrific fatal crash in Hermit Park, saying there was nothing they could do to save a driver who perished inside the vehicle.

NEIGHBOURS have recounted the moments leading up to a horrific fatal crash in Hermit Park, saying there was nothing they could do to save a driver who perished inside the vehicle.

The nearby residents, who lived on Queens Rd, made the initial call to police after they heard a large “thud” of a car slamming into a huge tree near their property about 1am.

One of the residents, who did not wish to be named, said she had just gone to bed and put her phone down when she heard the crash, and the immediate “whoosh” sound of the car catching fire.

Looking from her balcony, the sedan was already completely engulfed in raging flames just moments later.

The residents said they heard no lead up to the impact, including no brakes, hooning or revving of an engine.

They said there seemed to be no-one else around who stopped, or was travelling with the vehicle.

The fire raged on for several minutes, causing the huge tree to catch fire before Queensland Fire and Emergency Services controlled the blaze.

The road was closed but reopened about 4.30am on Tuesday morning.

A charred mess of ash, bark and pieces of the vehicle were left scattered at the scene on Tuesday morning.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash.

Driver killed in fiery Hermit Park crash

A DRIVER was killed in a horrific crash at Hermit Park on Tuesday morning after their vehicle hit a tree and burst into flames.

Police were called to Queens Rd, near Corcoran Park, about 1am to reports a small white hatchback had crashed into a large tree and caught fire.

The driver and sole occupant of the car died at the scene.

District duty officer Senior Sergeant Brett Smith said the car was engulfed in flames when police arrived.

“It was quite a horrific scene,” Sergeant Smith said.

The car wreck was completely charred on Tuesday morning, with the bonnet and engine totally incinerated.

The fire from the vehicle also spread to a nearby tree, but was quickly put out by fire crews.

Due to the nature of the driver’s injuries, police have been unable to formally identify the body yet.

Sergeant Smith confirmed the car was not stolen, and had been travelling inbound when the single-vehicle crash occurred.

He said it was too early to tell what caused the crash, or whether the driver was speeding.

“Investigations are early in their stages but Forensic Crash Unit are now looking into it,” Sergeant Smith said.

The road was closed in both directions for a number of hours and reopened about 4.30am on Tuesday.

Originally published as Driver dead after car hits Hermit Park, Townsville tree, bursts into flames