Kelsie Davies, Michale Chandler and Sheree Robertson identified as crash victims, Kaylah Behrens critical
The identity of a fourth woman fighting for life in Royal Brisbane Hospital has been revealed after a crash involving an alleged stolen car near Maryborough left three others dead and a community in shock.
Fraser Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Fraser Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A 23-year-old woman who is fighting for her life in hospital has been identified after the horrific crash that killed three other women at Maryborough on Sunday night.
Kaylah Behrens was airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a critical condition following the crash and remained in a critical condition on Monday.
Ms Behrens, a former Riverside Christian College student, was the third passenger in the Holden. She is also a member of the Reach Church and works at Downer EDI.
Ms Behrens is still in a critical condition as of 10.30am on Tuesday, a Metro North Health spokesperson said.
Sheree Robertson, 52, a nurse from Maryborough Hospital, former Riverside Christian College student Kelsie Davies, 17, and Reach Church pastor Michale Chandler, 29, died in the crash on Saltwater Creek Rd.
The three woman were killed when a stolen vehicle, allegedly being driven by a 13-year-old Bundaberg boy, crashed into the back of a Holden.
The crash happened about 10.45pm when an allegedly stolen Mercedes-Benz was travelling south on Saltwater Creek Rd near Sydney St and collided with the rear of the Holden.
The vehicle then crashed into a Mazda headed towards Hervey Bay.
The driver and passenger of the Holden – 17-year-old Oakhurst girl Ms Davies and 29-year-old Maryborough pastor Ms Chandler – died at the scene.
Sheree Robertson, a 52-year-old nurse from Maryborough Hospital, who was just finishing her shift and was driving the Mazda, also died at the scene.
On Monday, the Wide Bay Health and Hospital Service released a statement, paying tribute to their colleague.
“The Wide Bay HHS team was absolutely devastated to learn of the death of a respected Maryborough Hospital staff member in a tragic road crash over the weekend,” the statement read.
“Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and loved ones, as well as the first responders who have been affected.
“We understand what an enormous impact this loss will have on our tight-knit Wide Bay HHS community, and we encourage our staff and colleagues to seek support during this difficult time.”
Police said she was driving home after work when she was killed in the crash.
A friend of Ms Robertson, who asked not to be named, said she was a “really cool, really loud, really outgoing type of nurse”.
“She was an amazing teacher and I have learnt so much from her,” she said.
“We will be feeling her loss for a long, long time.”
Ms Davies was part of the graduating class at Riverside Christian College last year.
Member for Bundaberg, Tom Smith, was a teacher at the college and taught Ms Davies.
He paid tribute to his former student on Monday.
“Kelsie was a student that every teacher wishes that they could teach,” he said.
“She was always keen to learn, eager to aim high, and was most importantly just a very kind and sweet-natured kid that every one of her peers loved.
“It is very difficult on a day like today to express all of the words that truly represent just why Kelsie will be so missed, but I know that her cohort of friends from last year’s graduating Riverside class will be hurting and sharing their grief for someone so important to them.
“Like many, today will be spent thinking of her family and friends, and to the families of those who lost their lives last night.”
Ms Chandler grew up in Townsville, attending Pimlico State High School and according to Facebook, worked at the Townsville City Church.
Ms Chandler’s husband, Matthew, paid tribute to the beloved wife and mother on Facebook.
“It is with the utmost heavy heart that we say goodbye for now to our darling Michale Chandler,” he wrote.
“You were and will continue to hold the world’s greatest wife and mum award.
“Until we meet in heaven my Queen, love you to the moon and back.”
Family friend Ben Collingwood also paid tribute to Ms Chandler.
“Michale was an incredible woman who inspired so many young people.
“She will be massively missed by her church community especially.”
The 13-year-old was taken to hospital but released shortly after and taken to the Maryborough watch house where he was charged with three counts of dangerous operation of motor vehicle causing death and one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
The 13-year-old boy was mentioned at the Maroochydore Children’s Court on Monday and is expected to appear at the Maryborough Children’s Court on Tuesday.
It is believed a passenger from the Mercedes-Benz fled the scene and inquiries are continuing to verify this information.
It will be further alleged the Mercedes-Benz was stolen from a house on Dalhousie St, Maryborough, at 8.40pm Sunday.
Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said the tragedy showed why the criminal age of responsibility should not be raised to 14.
“The events of today are just tragic, and we as police feel it even more acutely when an innocent family member of a serving police officer has been needlessly sent to hospital when all she was doing was enjoying a night out at the movies, and other community members have been senselessly killed,” he said.
“(There’s) no more heart-wrenching example of why we cannot entertain the madness of those who want to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14.
“Our thoughts are with our colleague and his family and with all the families.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Kelsie Davies, Michale Chandler and Sheree Robertson identified as crash victims, Kaylah Behrens critical