Brave sister shields brother in horrific Conondale car crash

An eight-year-old girl is recovering after “using her own body as a makeshift airbag” to save her younger brother when the vehicle they were in plunged down a steep embankment in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Ellie Hayes, 8, is being hailed as a hero for protecting her brother during a terrifying car crash in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Photo: Brayden Hayes.

A young girl is being hailed a hero after she bravely protected her younger brother during a car accident in Conondale on Sunday morning, preventing more serious injuries after their vehicle plummeted down a steep embankment.

Brayden Hayes, the father of eight-year-old Ellie and four-year-old Braxton, shared an update on the accident, describing how Ellie’s quick thinking and selfless actions saved her brother’s life.

“Yesterday, I came inches from losing both of my beautiful babies, Ellie and Braxton,” Mr Hayes said.

Ellie Hayes, 8, is being hailed as a hero for protecting her brother during a terrifying car crash in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

Mr Hayes said the children had been spending the end of their school holidays with their mother and stepfather on a farm in Conondale, enjoying the picturesque surroundings and exploring the area.

But their fun day took a sudden and terrifying turn when the car they were in, a paddock basher, rolled down a hill.

Mr Hayes explained after the group stopped at a gate. As Braxton stood up, he tripped over the centre console, accidentally knocking the car out of gear and sending it hurtling down the steep slope and through a barb wire fence.

“(It) continued down over the edge of a valley that’s about a 100-meter drop,” Mr Hayes said.

Ellie Hayes, 8, is being hailed as a hero for protecting her brother during a terrifying car crash in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

The vehicle was heading directly toward a large gum tree when Ellie sprang into action.

“Ellie snatched Braxton ... and used her own body as a makeshift airbag,” Mr Hayes said.

“She wrapped herself around him and protected his head and body, the most vulnerable areas, from trauma.”

Incredibly, Ellie’s actions prevented Braxton from suffering any injuries, but she wasn’t so lucky.

The Queensland Fire Department and Queensland Ambulance Service rushed to the scene to rescue the pair, and Ellie was flown to the Queensland Children’s Hospital in a critical condition.

The courageous young girl sustained serious injuries, including a broken leg, fractured ribs, a fractured cheekbone, and multiple cuts and bruises.

Ellie Hayes suffered serious injuries after the car she was in rolled down a steep embankment in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Photo: LifeFlight.

Despite her injuries, Ellie remains stable and is awaiting surgery.

Mr Hayes said Ellie acted on “instinctual sibling love.”

“Ellie Hayes is a true Aussie hero, and she deserves everyone to know of her heroic act that saved her brother’s life.”

A Queensland Police spokesman confirmed on Monday they were aware of the incident and said no further investigation was underway at that time.

Originally published as Brave sister shields brother in horrific Conondale car crash