Bail revelation over fatal stolen car crash in Cairns

A political tempest is brewing after a revelation about a group of teenagers allegedly involved in a stolen car crash that killed one of their own.

A POLITICAL tempest is brewing after a revelation about a group of teenagers allegedly involved in a stolen car crash that killed one of their own.

The Cairns Post can reveal four of the six alleged occupants of the vehicle were on bail when the 1.10am crash occurred.

What unfolded was a tragedy of the highest order.

A 14-year-old boy who sat in the rear middle seat of the car is dead, another teen has lost a spleen and others have spinal injuries that will likely dog them for life.

Police officers who worked in vain to save the young teen’s life on the roadside are also reportedly traumatised.

The fact so many of the teens were out on bail – which would generally include strict curfews – will only stoke the flames of ferment among much of the community.

Cairns MP Michael Healy acknowledged there needed to be changes.

“This horrific event is a polarising tragedy on so many levels, for a family’s loss, for our first responders who attended the scene and to those impacted by crime,” he said.

“As the community has made it very clear to me, more needs to be done with far better outcomes.”

The state member said he spent two hours in the gallery of the Children’s Court on Friday to see first-hand how the system worked.

Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Hodgman speaks with Member for Cairns Michael Healy in the Cairns City Police Station, currently under construction. Picture: Brendan Radke

It required a formal application to the Attorney-General, since it was a closed court involving minors.

Mr Healy said he could not legally comment on what he saw but he did believe some accountability had to be attributed to parents.

Crime and Justice Action Group (CJAG) spokesman Aaron McLeod said it was always only a matter of time until somebody was killed from the city’s spiralling car theft crisis.

“If you were a betting man, I suppose you’d put the house on it wouldn’t you,” he said.

“We’re not shocked that this is happening, but the frustration and anger just continues to rise in the community.”

The group is considering how to respond to the crash.

Tyre tracks mark the tragic spot where a young teenager was killed. Picture: Peter Carruthers

“The first thing is we’ve been making plans to pay our respects at the site of the accident,” Mr McLeod said.

“The next thing members want is some sort of rally.

“We don’t know where or when just yet, but we know what we want to try and do.”

Among CJAG’s chief political requests is new legislation that makes parents or guardians accountable for their children’s actions.

“Our members feel very strongly that this level of accountability doesn’t rest on the shoulders of a child,” Mr McLeod said.

Aaron McLeod leads the Crime and Justice Action Group's rally against youth crime in Mareeba. Picture: Mattea Kearney

Opposition police spokesman Dale Last paid his respects to the community over the loss of a young life.

“Our community has been calling for change but, other than some minor tweaks, the Labor state government has fallen well short of what is required,” he said.

“Our Youth Justice and Child Safety systems are in disarray across the state and, more than three years after the Labor government vowed to act, we still have government departments who are not working together.

“I have no doubt we will see a state government representative talk about this incident as a tragedy … but, until the Labor government gets serious on youth crime, people will question their integrity and their inaction.”

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Originally published as Bail revelation over fatal stolen car crash in Cairns