Doomadgee crash: Man in custody is partner and father of victims, police confirm

Police have revealed the link between the man allegedly at the centre of a fatal remote Far North Qld crash and its victims, as they release “graphic” images. Warning: Viewer discretion is advised.

Molly Frew and Emma Cam

2 min read

November 10, 2025 - 7:37AM

The Cairns Post

Police have released images of the two cars involved in a fatal traffic crash in Doomadgee on November 7. Both vehicles, a black 2011 Nissan Maxima and a white 2006 Toyota Landcruiser, have been moved to the Mount Isa Police Station holding yard for further forensic examination. Picture: QPS

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The man allegedly at the centre of a crash near Doomadgee in Far North Queensland was the victim’s partner and a father, police have confirmed.

A 30-year-old Cloncurry woman and a 10-year-old girl were killed, while three other passengers remain in hospital following the crash about 2km from the remote community of Doomadgee on Friday, November 7.

Police have arrested a 28-year-old Doomadgee man and are calling for dashcam footage from the public. No charges have been laid.

Mount Isa District acting superintendent Paul Austin said the two cars involved in the “catastrophic” crash were in a police holding yard for forensic examination.

“The 28-year-old male remains in police custody and he will be transferred to Townsville,” Superintendent Austin said.

“We’re prepared to release [images]. It’s very graphic... As you can well imagine, there was a significantly catastrophic crash that caused the outcome that we are well aware of.”

Police confirmed the man in custody is the victim’s partner and father of the dead child.

Doomadgee Road, where the crash occurred, has re-opened to traffic.

Both vehicles, a black 2011 Nissan Maxima and a white 2006 Toyota Landcruiser, have been moved to the Mount Isa Police Station holding yard for further forensic examination. Picture: QPS

A Townsville University Hospital spokesperson confirmed as of Sunday afternoon, one passenger is in a critical condition, while two other passengers are stable.

Initial investigations showed there were two cars involved in the crash, with the 28-year-old the sole occupant of the second vehicle.

“That’s still part of the investigation and I won’t go into the specifics,” he said.

Two surviving passengers were immediately taken to hospital by ambulance, while members of the public found two of the other passengers and transported them, superintendent Austin said.

Specialist police and forensic officers are investigating the crash.

Police have asked that anyone who saw the vehicles or had dash cam footage contact police. Picture: QPS

However, superintendent Austin said police were making a plea to the community.

“Anyone that saw those vehicles or have dash cam footage, contact the Doomadgee Police or the Mount Isa Police if they haven’t already been spoken to,” he said.

Doomadgee is a remote Indigenous community 995km west of Cairns, with an estimated population of around 1300 people.

On Friday afternoon, Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council confirmed the town would shut down for sorry business.

Superintendent Austin said the incident was “tragic” and offered his condolences to the community.

“They are in a trying time … There’s a lot of work going on in the background to support the community,” he said.

“We’ve pushed in support services, counselling for the community and (attending) emergency services officers, and chaplaincy services certainly are giving us support with that.”

In a post to social media, Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council confirmed the town would shut down to begin sorry business. Photo: Facebook/Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council.

Superintendent Austin said support from the community had been “excellent”, especially from community leaders who were assisting police with their investigation.

“I’d just like to again thank the Doomadgee community for their support,” he said.

“Certainly the grief that’s being experienced as a result of this incident has been extreme and we will continue to do whatever we can to support the community through this time.”

He asked that the community remained calm as police continued their investigation.

“It will be comprehensive and it will be thorough,” he said.