New Exhibition Road in Wandal, Rockhampton blocked after pedestrian struck by car

Police are calling for witnesses after a man was hit by a car and seriously injured outside a Federal Election pre-polling booth in Central Queensland, as LNP and ALP candidates make shock claims about the response to the incident.

Police blocking New Exhibition Road in Wandal.

A man has been flown to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital with serious injuries after he was hit by a car outside the Federal Election pre-polling booth at the Rockhampton Showgrounds in Wandal on Wednesday evening.

New Exhibition Road at Wandal was shut for several hours after a silver Toyota Corolla hatchback allegedly hit a man about 6pm on Wednesday.

Police allege the driver of the car, a 51-year-old Wandal woman, briefly left the scene but returned to the crash site shortly after.

The injured man, a 65-year-old from Berserker, was treated on scene by an off-duty paramedic and nurse.

He suffered serious facial and internal injuries and was this morning in a stable condition.

#Wandal - Vehicle and Pedestrian incident on New Exhibition Road at 06.16pm. One patient transported to Rockhampton Hospital in a stable condition.

— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) May 18, 2022

There has been increased traffic in the area for the past week as the Rockhampton pre-polling booth operates nearby until 8pm each evening.

In a Facebook post, Labor candidate for Capricornia Russell Robertson, who helped the man along with other volunteers, has slammed LNP volunteers who also witnessed the incident, claiming they continued to hand out how to vote cards rather than help render assistance.

But LNP candidate for Capricornia Michelle Landry is standing by her volunteers, saying they helped to direct traffic.

Mr Robertson described the crash as ‘shocking’ and said it brought out the best, and worst of humanity from those nearby.

“Most of the volunteers at the booth immediately ran to offer assistance and comfort the man, who was in a bad way,” he said.

“There were Labor supporters and people from IMOP, the Great Australia Party and One Nation. First aid kits were produced, we coordinated traffic, called Triple-0 and offered what assistance we could - fortunately one of the volunteers was a nurse.

“We also comforted his wife, who was, of course, distraught.

“We were all pulling together and doing what any decent human being would in that situation. The election and politics were all put to one side - except for the LNP team who - and I couldn’t believe this - stayed at the booth to continue to hand out how to vote cards.

“I was absolutely disgusted by that - and I told them so once the ambulance had taken the man to hospital.

“A man was seriously injured in their line of sight and their only instinct was to try and get more votes while everyone else did the right thing. It was absolutely despicable behaviour.

“We all wish him a fast recovery.”

Ms Landry went in to bat for her team of volunteers, saying she was ‘disgusted’ in her opponent for ‘playing politics’ with someone who was seriously injured.

“My thoughts are with the man who was seriously injured in a traffic accident at the Rockhampton Showgrounds Pre-poll last night,” Ms Landry said.

“My team were near the roundabout at the entrance of the Rockhampton Showgrounds trying to stop traffic from driving down to the incident.

“I am happy with how my team acted professionally and responsibly and I am not going to have them defamed by the ALP.

“People should not be playing politics with someone who has been seriously injured and I am disgusted in the Labor candidate for Capricornia’s recent Facebook post which is nothing more than revolting mud slinging.

“I have spoken to volunteers from other political parties who were there last night. One lady said 20 minutes after the event there was no one standing there giving out how to vote cards. I have spoken to my volunteers this morning and they are very upset by Labor’s accusations.

“When the accident happened they went up to the roundabout to divert traffic and stayed there until the police arrived.

“From what I am hearing the paramedic who attended the scene lived nearby.

“I am disgusted that Labor has turned this into political point scoring and continuing to do this at pre poll today.”

Police are urging any witnesses, particularly those with dashcam footage, to come forward, as investigations continue.

Originally published as New Exhibition Road in Wandal, Rockhampton blocked after pedestrian struck by car