Federal crash: Mother of sole survivor in Bruce Highway accident wanted him kept in hospital

The mother of the sole survivor of a triple-fatal Bruce Hwy crash says she pleaded with a hospital not to release her son. A review into that decision is under way.

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Queensland Health will review a decision to release the sole survivor of a shocking triple fatal crash on the Bruce Highway just days before the tragedy unfolded, despite pleas from his mother to keep him in there.

A relative of Rafferty Rolfe, the man now charged with stealing at knifepoint a car involved in the crash, has revealed he was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital for treatment on Monday after being involved in a fight.

He was released on Tuesday – just days before Friday’s triple fatal where his girlfriend Gypsy Satterley, a 65-year-old man she was in a car with and a third driver Jessica Townley were killed.

Rafferty Rolfe has been charged with stealing a car in the hours before he was involved in an accident on the Bruce Highway that left three people dead. Picture: Facebook.

Rolfe’s mother has since made an official complaint to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman on Sunday confirmed a review was now under way.

Ms Fentiman said she had been advised that Mr Rolfe was observed and treated “several” times during a 24 hour stay at the hospital but that he did not reach the threshold for involuntarily admission.

“The family has asked for a clinical review and that is underway,” Ms Fentiman said.

“I understand his family are very upset, can I also just say, my thoughts and sympathies are with the families of those who have died, this is a heartbreaking incident.”

Three people were killed in the horror crash south of Gympie. Picture 9News

Ms Fentiman said Mr Rolfe was known to staff at the hospital.

She said doctors and nurses took into account the views of families when deciding whether to release a mental health patient.

“There are very significant clinical decisions made for when someone does not want to be voluntarily admitted,” she said.

“Obviously the clinicians will work with the family and take into account their views but it is a decision for doctors and nurses if someone does not want to be admitted.

“They have a tough decision to make – it is very serious.”

Rolfe’s relative, who does not wish to be identified, said there was a physical altercation between family members last week in Yandina.

Rolfe was taken to the hospital for treatment after the fight.

“The whole time (he was in hospital) his mum’s on the phone saying he’s not well, he’s mentally ill, he has a long history of mental health,” the relative told the Sunday Mail.

“She’s saying to them ‘you can’t let him go please … don’t release him please put him on a 72-hour hold’, calling Ryan’s Rule.

“(A mental health nurse), when they discharged him, actually said to her ‘there‘s nothing wrong with him and that it doesn’t matter he’s going to end up in jail anyway’.

“Then three days later, we hear about all this (crash).”

Rolfe is accused of holding a woman at knifepoint before stealing her Isuzu MU-X in Gympie on Thursday afternoon.

Rafferty Rolfe’s mother has made a complaint about his release from the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.

About an hour later, police attempted to intercept Mr Rolfe and the stolen car at Curra but were unsuccessful.

Mr Rolfe’s relative told The Sunday Mail he had been experiencing a psychotic episode.

She also claimed Ms Satterley and Rolfe were in the stolen car together in the hours before the crash.

It is not yet clear when or how Ms Satterley ended up on the side of the Bruce Highway before she was picked up by the 65-year-old good Samaritan who she was killed alongside in his Nissan Navara.

Mr Rolfe is alleged to have chased and then rammed the Navara, which veered into oncoming traffic, colliding head on with a Great Wall utility driven by Imbil resident and alpaca farmer Jessica Townley, 38.

Gypsy Satterley died in the crash at Federal on Friday morning. Picture: Instagram

Rolfe was taken to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital where he remains in a stable condition under police guard.

His family told the Sunday Mail they were devastated to learn about the crash.

But said it could have been prevented if the hospital had properly addressed his mental health needs.

“My whole family is just so devastated,” the relative said.

“I just feel so sorry for those two innocent people. That poor mum just obviously just tried to go wherever she was going and the guy that tried to stop and help her (Ms Satterley).

“I just want people to know that it could have been prevented.

“They didn’t care.”

The Sunday Mail put the specific, detailed allegations to the hospital, as told by the family member. The hospital said it protected patient confidentiality but added “a routine review of care will be completed”.

“Sunshine Coast Health protects the privacy and confidentiality of the patients who access our

services and won’t comment on the individual circumstances of care,” a spokesperson said.

Emergency services on the scene at Federal following a horror crash which has claimed three lives. Source: Channel 7.

Rolfe has not been charged in relation to the crash or the deaths of Ms Satterley, Ms Townley and the 65-year-old man.

Rolfe has been charged with one count of robbery with violence while armed in relation to the stolen Isuzu.

He is scheduled to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday.

Investigations by detectives from the Sunshine Coast District CIB – assisted by Homicide Investigation Unit and Forensic Crash Unit – are ongoing.

Originally published as Federal crash: Mother of sole survivor in Bruce Highway accident wanted him kept in hospital