Federal triple fatal crash: Sunshine Coast cop calls for greater focus on DV

The family of the driver at the centre of a devastating triple-fatal crash has spoken out as a police investigation continues. See the timeline of the tragedy.

The family of Rafferty Raymond Rolfe has spoken out following a devastating triple fatal crash north of the Sunshine Coast which has sent shockwaves throughout the community.

Gypsy Satterley, 25, Terry Bishop, 65, and Jessica Townley, 38, were killed on the Bruce Hwy at Federal early on July 21 in one of the worst Queensland road tragedies in 2023.

It was alleged Ms Satterley was known to 25-year-old Yandina man Mr Rolfe, who has been charged with murder and a raft of other charges in relation to the crash.

One of the murder charges is a domestic violence offence.

Detective Inspector Chris Toohey. Picture: Eddie Franklin

Sunshine Coast Detective Inspector Chris Toohey said while he was not called to the scene of the crash on Friday morning, he had seen “distressing” footage from the incident as part of the investigation.

He hoped there would be a greater focus on domestic violence in the community in light of the tragedy.

“I’d like to encourage the community to keep an eye out for each other and support each other and if necessary, report others, if they believe a person is in a coercive or domestic violence relationship,” he said.

The crash site in Federal was declared a crime scene after the deaths of three people.

Speaking on television, Mr Rolfe’s sister Rosie Jinks said the family was “immensely sorry.”

“Rafferty’s family is immensely sorry for the pain and devastation and our thoughts are with all families affected,” she told 9 News.

Meanwhile, the family of Gypsy Satterley have also come forward.

Brother Brodie Satterley said Gypsy was his rock.

“She was there for everybody in their family,” he said.

Inspector Toohey said the incident was a “tragic set of circumstances” and police were extremely sympathetic towards the families of the deceased, whom they are still in contact with and he said they had been put in touch with Homicide Support.

Police called to the distressing scene have also been offered support.

Inspector Toohey said the community had been paramount in helping with the investigation.

“If there are others still out there who haven’t come forward, I certainly encourage them to speak to police as soon as possible,” he said.

Timeline to tragedy

The alleged carjacking

Gympie mother Bec Alexander returned to her Isuzu MU-X parked in Young Street, Gympie, with three young passengers in tow on July 20.

It was alleged she was threatened by a man with a knife who demanded her vehicle. She complied.

The failed intercept

Police attempted to intercept the stolen car at Curra, north of Gympie, at 5.30pm that afternoon but were unsuccessful.

The next time the car was seen, it was destroyed after being involved in a deadly three-car smash.

The online plea

At 6.31pm on June 20, Ms Alexander took to social media, pleading for residents to keep an eye out for her car.

The crash site in Federal was declared a crime scene after the deaths of three people.

The crash

North Coast Regional Crime Co-ordinator Detective Superintendent Ben Fadian said it was alleged the stolen MU-X was chasing and trying to ram a Nissan Navara off the road.

It was alleged the stolen car pursued the Navara for 4km before the first strike, which spun the Navara around.

The MU-X chased the Navara still, Detective Superintendent Fadian said, before it collided with a blue Great Wall ute.

The two people inside the Nissan Navara were killed instantly, while the sole occupant and driver of the Great Wall died at the scene.

Mr Rolfe, the only survivor, was allegedly found near the stolen car and taken to the Gympie Hospital in a serious condition for a head injury. He was later transferred to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.

Rafferty Rolfe, 25, was the sole survivor of the fatal crash which involved three vehicles on the Bruce Highway at Federal on Thursday morning, killing three people and leaving a vast trail of debris and twisted wreckage. Picture 9News

The deceased

Gypsy Satterley

Young mum Gypsy Satterley, 25, was one of two people inside the Nissan Navara who were killed instantly when their car collided with a Great Wall ute.

It is believed she was in the stolen Isuzu MU-X before she was picked up off the side of the road by good Samaritan, Terry Bishop.

Police said she was “distressed” at the time.

Instagram image of Gypsy Satterley who has tragically been killed on the Bruce Highway along with two others Picture Instagram

A close friend of Ms Satterley said she was a “beautiful person” who was supposed to be at her house on Friday night but never showed.

She was described in an online tribute and GoFundMe from her sister as a “fighter”.

“Life hadn’t been kind to her, in so many ways, it threw roadblocks and made every move forwards, hard,” she wrote.

“But she still showed up every damn day and fought a battle of fighting for a better life, knowing she could nearly touch it finally, smiling, laughing and loving her way through all the set backs.”

The GoFundMe was to raise funds for Ms Satterley’s farewell and to support her two daughters.

Jessica Townley

Imbil alpaca breeder Jessica Townley had celebrated her 38th birthday just two days before a Nissan Navara carrying Terry Bishop and Gypsy Satterley collided with her Great Wall ute.

She was critically injured and died at the scene despite the best efforts of paramedics.

Somerset Alpaca Stud owner and Queensland Region President of the Australian Alpaca Association Geoff Coutts-Smith said in a statement Ms Townley was “going about her business” on the day she died.

Jessica Townley died in the crash two days after her birthday, Jessica was one of three people who died in the same accident on the Bruce Highway Picture Supplied

Mr Coutts-Smith said she was a “quietly spoken person” and “very private” but was always “anxious to assist when needed”.

“Her colleagues describe her as a wonderful asset to the Queensland region, always happy to lend a hand and prepared to seek advice from others, when needed,” he said.

Terry Bishop

Mackay father and grandfather Terry Bishop, 65, was the good Samaritan who picked up 25-year-old Gypsy Satterley in his Nissan Navara on July 21.

He was on his way to Brisbane for a wedding on Saturday, July 22.

His family said in a statement he was “a man that would always go out of his way to help anyone in need.”

They released his name and identity in a bid for witnesses to the crash to come forward.

Terry Bishop was travelling north along the Bruce Highway in a silver 2012 Nissan Navara dual cab utility when it was involved in the traffic crash. Mr Bishop and his passenger Gypsy Satterley died at the scene.

The court case

Yandina man Rafferty Raymond Rolfe, 25, was charged on July 21 with armed robbery, dangerous operation of a vehicle, unlawful possession of a vehicle, unlawful possession with intent to deprive, stealing, evasion and driving without a licence repeat offender, over the alleged carjacking in Gympie.

He was later charged with the murders of Ms Satterley, Mr Bishop and Ms Townley.

He has not entered pleas.

His matters were mentioned in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on July 24 and July 25, and on the second court date were brought all together and adjourned for a committal mention on September 15.

There was no application for bail and he remains in custody.

He was placed under prison guard while still in hospital on July 27.

A man under police guard in hospital following a horror triple-fatal crash on the Bruce Highway at Noosa has been identified as Rafferty Rolfe. Source: Facebook.

Originally published as Federal triple fatal crash: Sunshine Coast cop calls for greater focus on DV