Community anger as Nambour aged care worker killed by alleged car thief

The “senseless” death of an aged care worker, killed in a crash allegedly caused by a man who had stolen a Mercedes at gunpoint and raced through a school zone, has sparked calls for tougher action on crime.

Outraged Queenslanders are calling for change after another innocent woman was killed in a crash allegedly caused by a car thief.

The “senseless” death of an aged care worker, killed in a crash allegedly caused by a man who had stolen a Mercedes at gunpoint and raced through a Sunshine Coast school zone, has reignited widespread calls for change.

It comes as floral tributes and handwritten notes grow at the scene where the 52-year-old, understood to be a carer returning home from nightshift, was killed while “going about her business” at Burnside on Friday morning.

She’s understood to have been heading home from night shift when she was hit by the car allegedly being driven by a 26-year-old car thief.

Flowers and notes handwritten by children can be seen at the school crossing where a 52-year-old woman was killed. PHOTO: Mark Furler

Izak Kane Sefton-Bennett is charged with “dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death adversely affected by an intoxicating substance as well as callous disregard to deceased”.

He is alleged to have fled the scene before “good Samaritan” residents stopped him from escaping in another car and held him at bay until police arrived.

His charges, which also include unlawful use of a motor vehicle and armed robbery, were mentioned briefly on Saturday morning in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court where the case was adjourned to Maroochydore court on Tuesday.

While Mr Sefton-Bennett remains in custody, a staggering number of Queenslanders have expressed their anger and fear on social media sites about the alarming trend involving alleged car thieves and the loss of innocent mums, dads and children on the state’s roads.

The Burnside crash comes just two months after three people were killed on the Bruce Hwy at Federal, south of Gympie.

In chillingly similar allegations, Rafferty Rolfe, who faces nine charges including murder, robbery and dangerous operation of a vehicle, had stolen the car at Gympie just hours earlier according to court documents.

Gypsy Satterly was one of three people killed in a crash allegedly caused by a driver in a stolen car. Picture Instagram

Police will allege he was pursuing his former partner, Gypsy Satterly who had been picked up by a kind stranger Terry Bishop of Hay Point, when he caused the crash that killed them and Imbil alpaca farmer Jessica Townley.

Mr Rolfe’s case was briefly mentioned in court this week and he was remanded in custody. He has yet to enter pleas.

In May, three women – 52-year-old nurse Sheree Robertson and Reach Church members Kelsie Davis, 17 and primary school occupational therapist Michale Chandler, 29 – were all killed when a car, also a stolen Mercedes allegedly being driven by a 13-year-old, crashed at Maryborough.

Fraser Coast nurse Sheree Robertson, Reach Church pastor Michale Chandler and teen Kelsie Davies were killed in the horror crash in Maryborough.

Ms Robertson was the same age as the woman killed at Burnside and also returning from nightshift at the local hospital.

The arrested teenager, who was “known to police”, remains before the courts charged with three counts of dangerous operation of motor vehicle causing death and one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

As news spread about Friday’s crash, members of the communities impacted by the string of tragedies appeared united in collective grief and anger.

On the Living In Nambour Facebook group Ziam Nahh’s comment was indicative of the overwhelming “not again” sentiment and calls for action.

“Can we make this lady’s life the one we say enough is enough and actually do something … like how many more lives do we have to lose before we stand up as a community and say enough?” she wrote

A woman has died in a horror crash involving a young driver allegedly in a stolen Mercedes outside a school on the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“The poor woman going about her normal day. This is not good enough. Enough is enough. My deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones,” Anna Sever added.

Shadow Police Minister Dale Last said on Saturday Queensland was a “state under siege from a crime crisis with few police to keep out communities safe”.

“Queenslanders deserve to feel safe in their homes and communities, not live in fear they’ll become the next victim while they’re going about their lives,” he said

Sunshine Coast MP Ted O’Brien has also been contacted for comment.

‘Infuriated this continues to happen’: How Queenslanders reacted to fatal crash

“An innocent lady (mother, sister, daughter, wife, friend) on her way home from work, lost her life due to (someone allegedly) stealing a car and joy-riding. Our condolences to the family. May she RIP. Seriously, it’s about time the law got tougher on people,” Kim O‘Sullivan wrote on the Nambour page.

“So sad that a human doing one of the most difficult jobs in our community can have such a sad ending for her soul and her poor family,” Grace Mckinlay Sara said.

“I’m infuriated that this continues to happen. Hard working citizens of our community either losing property or their lives. Enough is enough! This is a heartbreaking outcome that our government needs to stand up beside us against. RIP, I’m so sorry that another family is having to endure such a senseless loss,” Barb Rasmussen commented.

A woman has died in a horror crash involving a young driver allegedly in a stolen Mercedes outside a school on the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Jocelyn Adrian van Gaalen said in the same thread “It is so sad and hard to comprehend … that poor lady’s family and friends and all the emergency services personnel that had to attend. RIP dear lady and condolences to your family.”

Martina Rabbani commented “She was my age, am pretty upset, someone doesn't have a mum coming home today … NOT good enough, this is occurring too often these days. You are a kind person, Bless you, May her soul Rest in Peace.”

Di Murtagh expressed similar sentiments on the same page “Condolences to the family but when is it enough, so many innocent people lives are being taken away or destroyed.”

A woman has died in a horror crash involving a young driver allegedly in a stolen Mercedes outside a school on the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Suesette Terese Smith said “This is so tragic, makes one think, not everyday is promised. To think on how to live each day with the best attitude we can. May her family and husband know that so many are thinking of them.”

More comments filled with anger and grief flooded the Queensland Police Service Facebook.

Noeleen Blatchley said “Another ruined family for life. No fault of the poor person recklessly killed. senseless.”

Matt Doyle added “It’s incredibly sad to hear about this morning’s tragic event. The loss of life is devastating, and the fact that it was (allegedly) caused by reckless actions makes it all the more incomprehensible. My condolences go out to the family and friends of the woman lost, and I sincerely hope that justice will be rightfully served.”

In the same thread Doreen Driver said “So very sad, deepest condolences to her family. Thinking of all those who witnessed this horrendous accident and the emergency services personnel who attended. Thank you to those brave witnesses who chased the man down for police, I know everyone especially her family appreciate (it). May the lady RIP and fly free with the angels she has earned her wings.”

A woman has died in a horror crash involving a young driver allegedly in a stolen Mercedes outside a school on the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Mish Raine said “I can’t comprehend any of it R. I. P my condolences to all family, friends and first responders, such a sad thing to happen.”

More comments poured in through the Sunshine Coast, QLD Traffic Info Facebook group.

Lorraine Campbell said “Wow! Not again! Another (allegedly) stolen vehicle and a young crim, ending the life of an innocent person. When is it ever going to end.”

Madeline Horne commented “Time for ZERO Tolerance! Mandatory jail time for car theft.”

A flower tribute is growing at the scene where a 52-year-old was killed at Burnside. PHOTO: Eddie Franklin

Outraged readers also left their thoughts and comments on the Courier Mail and Sunshine Coast Daily Facebook pages.

Lauren Georges said “The government needs to wake up and listen to everyone … it’s getting more dangerous and scary. It’s another innocent victim lost. Other family heartbroken”.

Christine Bennett added “How sad another innocent person dies.”

Kristen Hunter commented “That’s tragically sad poor lady condolences to the family when is this going to stop. it’s just getting worse and worse I hope the police and paramedics are ok after witnessing this incident”.

Originally published as Community anger as Nambour aged care worker killed by alleged car thief