Wieambilla shootout: Survivor of horror police ambush Randall Kirk speaks out for first time

After narrowly surviving the harrowing ambush that claimed the lives of two young Queensland police officers, Constable Randall Kirk has spoken out for the first time since the tragic incident.

Constable Randall Kirk has spoken from his hospital bed after surviving the horrific shooting ambush that killed two of his colleagues. Picture: Facebook

After narrowly surviving the harrowing ambush that claimed the lives of two young Queensland police officers, Constable Randall Kirk has spoken out for the first time since the tragic incident.

Mr Kirk was one of four officers who attended the remote Wieambilla property on Monday, where his fellow officers Constable Rachel McCrow, 29, and Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, were shot and killed.

Having survived with a gunshot wound to his leg, Mr Kirk has since undergone surgery to remove remaining shrapnel and to treat his injuries. He is expected to be released from hospital soon to continue his recovery at home.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Mr Kirk said his thoughts were with the families of Constables McCrow and Mr Arnold.

“I’m feeling fine, just a little sore. My main thoughts are with the other police families at this awful time,” he said in a statement posted to Facebook.

“It means a lot to know the community cares for us all.”

“My wife and I have a young family and would appreciate privacy as we come to terms with this ”

Mr Kirk who is a father to a young daughter, was reunited with his pregnant wife, Breanna, after the successful surgery. They are expecting their second child in the next month and are “thankful they will be together for this important moment”.

The statement, released by Queensland Police Union of Employees on behalf of the family, commended the efforts of the nurse and doctors.

“The surgeons and nursing teams did a tremendous job and he will be released from hospital soon to continue his recovery at home with his wife Breanna and their young daughter,” it said.

Constable Keeley Brough, 28, also survived the ambush and has been hailed as a “hero”. Ms Brough was just eight weeks into her job when she fled into the ­surrounding bushland pursued by the gunmen.

Both Ms Brough and Mr Kirk have been praised for their efforts in raising the alarm, bringing 16 police officers to converge on the three shooters, Gareth Train, his brother Nathaniel and Gareth’s wife Stacey. All three were shot dead in the ensuing police fight later on Monday night.

A neighbour, Alan Dare, was the third victim of the ambush. He was murdered when he came to investigate after hearing gunshots and seeing smoke.

Speaking to local media on Tuesday, Mr Kirk’s wife Breanna said her husband was “doing well”.

“When I first spoke to Randall at the Chinchilla Hospital (on Monday night), his first thoughts were for his colleagues,” she said, adding: “We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Randall’s deceased colleagues.”

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll commended Constables Brough and Kirk, who are both from Chinchilla police station.

“They bravely did what they could to save their colleagues in the most horrendous circumstances,” she said.

“Their bravery was beyond belief … the fact that two got out alive is a miracle.

“To think that they survived the scene, let alone then got out to make phone calls and call for assistance, was just extraordinary.”