Police car destroyed after ute crashes into it on M1 at Helensvale

Police have outlined the next steps in their investigation into a horror M1 crash that saw an officer trapped in their vehicle, while some good news has been revealed about the condition of the four people injured.

All four people injured after a Mitsubishi Triton slammed into the back of a stationary police car on the M1 on Friday have been released from hospital as officers continue to investigate the cause of the horror accident.

A 55-year-old police officer was sitting in the front of the squad car when it was hit from behind by the Mitsubishi near Exit 62 in Helensvale at about 1.30pm, with witnesses alleging the ute had swerved across a number of lanes before the impact.

The officer was trapped in his vehicle and had to be cut free by firefighters, while the 54-year-old female driver of the Mitsubishi and her nine-year-old and one-year-old grandchildren were also injured.

All four were released from hospital over the weekend, however police said they had still not been able to interview the driver.

“All four of them are doing well, which is surprising when you look at the damage to both vehicles,” Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon said.

“For all four to only sustain minor injuries, it’s a miracle, and I’m grateful for that.”

A police car has been totalled in a multi-vehicle crash on the M1 at Helensvale. Picture: Mikaela Mulveney

Chief Supt Hanlon said the investigation was still in its early stages, but the woman would be interviewed “sooner rather than later”.

“When she is medically able to be interviewed she will be interviewed,” he said.

“Witnesses have said she was in a lane driving and then swerved across a couple of lanes and collided with the parked police vehicle.

“So the cause of that and why that occurred will form a major part of our investigation.”

Chief Supt Hanlon said undertaking highway patrols was “a risky business” and police would likely review how they conducted operations on major roads once the cause of the crash was known.

“The weather was fine, there was no inclement weather that could make the highly visible and marked police vehicle not visible to the driver. So the driver had a clear view,” he said.

“We want to work out why the driver went across those lanes and collided with a highly visible marked police vehicle on the side of the road. Once we determined the cause then we’ll look at if there’s any need to reconsider how we manage interceptions of vehicles on major highways.”

REAR OF POLICE CAR OBLITERATED IN INCIDENT

It will be alleged a Mitsubishi Triton ute veered out of its lane before smashing into the back of a stationary police car in a horror accident on the M1 on Friday.

Two children under ten years old and a police officer were among four people injured in the accident, which took place southbound near Exit 62 at Helensvale on the Gold Coast at 1.20pm.

Photos from the scene showed the rear of the police car was obliterated in the incident.

A Queensland Police Service spokesperson said the police car involved had parked on the shoulder of the motorway and was performing traffic duties when the crash occurred.

The spokesperson said the force of the crash pushed the police car into the back of a third car which was parked further up ahead.

“Initial information indicates at approximately 1.20pm, a police vehicle was stopped on the side of the motorway performing traffic duties,” the spokesperson said.

“The police car was then struck from behind by a Mitsubishi Triton.”

Police said the Forensic Crash Unit was investigating the incident.

Paramedics treating patients at the scene of the accident. Picture: QAS

Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) Inspector John Nolan said it will be alleged that the Mitsubishi had veered and fully come off the motorway before smashing directly into the back of the stationary police car at high speed.

The impact of the crash forced the police car forward about 150 metres and would have continued forward if it hadn’t been for an off duty police officer who noticed the scene unfold, he said.

“(The off duty officer) witnessed the incident unfold, and he’s pulled over several 100 meters down the road,” Mr Nolan said.

Mr Nolan said the police car collided with the off duty officer’s car which helped bring it to a complete stop.

The crash left the 55-year-old officer with back, neck and thoracic injuries.

Meanwhile the 54-year-old female driver of the ute sustained abdominal, chest and neck injuries.

Two young girls, a one-year-old and a nine-year-old, who were passengers in the Ute sustained less serious injuries. The one-year-old had facial injuries while the nine-year-old had a leg laceration.

All four were taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in serious but stable condition.

Damage to a police car in a crash on the M1 at Helensvale. Picture: ABC News.

Mr Nolan said it was incredibly lucky that the crash had not been fatal.

“It was extremely lucky. The technology in vehicles these days, if the airbags hadn’t deployed I think it could have been a far different situation,” he said.

It comes after a week of multiple crashes on the M1. Mr Nolan said the incident was a reminder for all road users to be aware of their surroundings.

“There are a high number of incidents on the M1 and I guess driver behaviour is probably to blame for a lot of these incidents – inattention, distractions,” he said.

“We encourage drivers to obey the speed limit and to avoid distractions like mobile phones.”

Two southbound lanes of the motorway were closed following the crash, with traffic backed up as far as Ormeau.

Police urged motorists to avoid the area, warning long delays were being experienced.

A witness to the crash said the injured police officer could be seen inside the smashed car after the incident.

Kate Rootsey was also travelling on the M1 when she drove past the crash site.

“It looks like someone ran into a police car and it looked badly smashed,” she said.

“I could see the police officer in the vehicle.”

A number of cars could be seen intentionally slowing down to ogle at the crash, Ms Rootsey said, causing traffic to back up.

“(Traffic) was okay just past the accident,” she said.

“I just hope the police officer is okay.”