Hannah Baxter dies after suffering burns in horrific Brisbane car fire

Queensland police have confirmed the mother of three children killed in a Brisbane car fire has also died of her injuries.

WARNING: Graphic content

The mother of three young children killed in a horrific car fire in Brisbane on Tuesday has also died of her injuries.

Hannah Baxter, 31, succumbed to her injuries at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital early this evening, Queensland Police said.

Ms Baxter was in a car with her three children, Laianah, 6, Aaliyah, 4, and Trey, 3, around 8:30am this morning when she was reportedly approached by Rowan Baxter, 42 in Raven St in Camp Hill.

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Mr Baxter – her husband with whom she owned a gym and had three children – reportedly approached the vehicle, dousing her in petrol before stabbing himself.

The two girls aged six and four along with a three-year-old boy were found dead inside the car, police said. Mr Baxter, 42, was also pronounced dead earlier today.

Hannah Baxter and Rowan Baxter with kids Laianah, Aaliyah and Trey Image from Facebook

Rowan and Hannah Baxter with their children Laianah, Aaliyah and Trey outside their Integr8 gym. Photo: Facebook

‘HE’S POURED PETROL ON ME’

Hannah and Rowan Baxter were reportedly undergoing a separation, with Nine News reporting Ms Baxter and her three children had been staying with her parents in Camp Hill.

Eyewitness Aaron Snell told The Courier Mail Mr Baxter was in “all manner of states’ and jumped into the flaming car to grab a knife while bystanders tried to help.

Mrs Baxter managed to get out from the car and was hosed down by neighbours who worked with fire extinguishers and a garden hose to put out the flames.

Mr Snell said the heroic acts were met with anger by Mr Baxter who was “protesting to stop putting it out.”

One resident told The Australian a woman was heard yelling: “He’s poured petrol on me.”

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Other witnesses said Ms Baxter, who was wearing activewear, was rolling on the footpath, while “four other explosions” were heard from the car.

“She was awake and conscious and completely aware of what had happened,” one neighbour said.

“Skin was peeling off her, and she held her hands up … bits were hanging off. It was really quite horrific.”

Family friend Brian Cavanagh said the incident was “beyond comprehension”.

“I couldn’t figure out how come Hannah was in the car with him,” he said.

Nine News also reported Mr Baxter had bought a jerry can of petrol at a local station earlier.

Hannah Baxter and her children all died in the car fire. Picture: Facebook

Hannah Baxter with her children Trey, Laianah and Aaliyah.

Police and emergency services were horrified by the tragic scene with first responders given counselling and the rest of the day off.

Detective Inspector Mark Thompson said it was too early to comment on how the fire started.

“How the fire actually occurred has not been ascertained at the moment, so for us to call it a murder-suicide or a tragic accident, it’s inappropriate at this stage,” he said.

“I’ve seen some horrific scenes – this is up there with some of the best of them.

“It’s a terrible thing to be presented with.”

Mr Thompson said the car was “fully emerged in fire” when police arrived on the scene.

“It’s a horrific scene. It would be a horrific thing for emergency services, police, fire and ambulances to deal with in the coming days,” he said.

Rowan Baxter with his children. All four were killed in a car fire at Camp Hill. Photo: Facebook

Laianah, Aaliyah, Trey Baxter with their father Rowan Baxter.

In the lead up to the tragedy Mr Baxter, who was a CrossFit coach and was previously named in the New Zealand Warriors squad, had posted loving messages to his children online.

“T-R-E-Y. Love you to the moon and back #daddy,” Baxter posted on Facebook last week, with a photo of his smiling son.

Another photo of Baxter cradling his young baby was captioned, “Goodnight my babies. Daddy loves you.”

Photos show the fitness-focused family doing handstands at their gym, where Ms Baxter taught children’s CrossFit classes.

“My wife does a brilliant job with the kiddies,” Baxter wrote last September, sharing a post from the gym’s Facebook page.

Hannah Baxter had also posted loving tributes to her children. On Instagram, Ms Baxter described herself as a “proud mumma” and listed her interests as fitness and healthy eating.

“In love with my 2 little princesses and little prince,” her private profile read.

She had shared numerous pictures of her children online, including one of her son Trey from January 8, captioned “my main man.”

The Baxter children appeared loved by both their parents according to social media. Picture: Facebook.

Flowers and cards left at the scene on Raven street. Picture: AAP image, John Gass.

A card for the family says to “fly with the angels”. Picture: AAP image, John Gass.

‘MY HEART IS BROKEN’

A friend of Ms Baxter’s, Katie Stewart, wrote on Facebook: “My heart is broken today!”

“Things like this just shouldn’t be able to happen to anyone, let alone someone you know, someone you call your friend, someone you’ve watched grow up to be a lovely athlete, a beautiful smiley woman and a spectacular mother!

“My heart is breaking for everyone who knew her and her precious babies but especially the Clarke family.”

Local councillor Fiona Cunningham said she was “absolutely devastated”.

“Our children are so precious and this is just another reminder to hug them tight and treasure every moment spent with them,” she said in a tribute posted on Facebook.

“Rest in peace little angels.”

Police will now investigate the cause of the horrific incident and have already been searching Mr Baxter’s house for clues as to his state of mind.

A police photographer searchers the home of Rowan Baxter. Picture: Liam Kidston

The burnt out car is removed that Rowan Baxter killed his three children and himself after he allegedly deliberately set the car alight. His wife, Hannah Baxter died of her injuries. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

The horrific scene shocked locals in a Brisbane suburb. Picture: AAP image, John Gass.