Two boys found dead in car at Woorabinda, west of Rockhampton

Investigations will continue today into the tragic deaths of two toddlers found in a car at a home in the Central Queensland town of Woorabinda.

• Triple tragedy: Teen killed hours after toddlers

Police have launched an investigation into the tragic deaths of two toddlers found in a car at a home in the Central Queensland town of Woorabinda.

The heartbroken community was left reeling after the shocking incident unfolded on Friday night, with emergency services called to a property in the Indigenous town 170km southwest of Rockhampton.

A two-year-old boy was found unconscious in the vehicle about 6.30pm and was driven to the local hospital.

Hospital staff and paramedics attempted to save the child but he could not be resuscitated and died before a rescue helicopter sent to the town could land.

Police and paramedics then returned to the property about 9.15pm where a second child, a three-year-old boy, was also found.

Central Region Crime Co-ordinator Darrin Shadlow said police were investigating how the children came to be in the vehicle.

“The second child was lying down in the rear footwell of the vehicle and was not seen by the residents when they located the first child,” he said, speaking in Rockhampton on Saturday.

Superintendent Shadlow said the first child was found on the seat of the car. He said the children were related but they were not siblings.

The house where the children were found in Woorabinda. Picture: Emma McBryde

Superintendent Shadlow said initial investigations suggested the boys had somehow climbed into the vehicle, which had not travelled anywhere, and had been there “for some time”.

“It’s not a used vehicle, so there are no electronics for windows or anything like that,” Superintendent Shadlow said.

“It appears to be a tragic incident … a tragic event for the community.”

Detective Superintendent Darrin Shadlow speaking at a press conference in Rockhampton. Photo: Kerri-Anne Mesner

He said it was “obviously too early to speculate in relation to a certain cause of death” but there would autopsies.

“It would appear from early investigations that it was heat-related stress,” he said.

The maximum temperature in Woorabinda on Friday hit 33.7C.

Police from Rockhampton, Woorabinda and Brisbane remained at the scene on Saturday evening.

Police on scene at the Richardson St home in Woorabinda as they investigate the deaths of two toddlers. Picture: Emma McBryde

Devastated Woorabinda locals throughout Saturday visited a makeshift vigil set up on a nature strip at the centre of the town, offering one another support and solace.

It has been a week of tragedies for the tight-knit community, 170km from Rockhampton, following several other deaths including 19-year-old killed in a car crash in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Police have confirmed the girl, who died after her car hit a tree at Kawana, was living at Rockhampton but had “strong ties” to the Woorabinda community.

The town of Woorabinda is in shock following the deaths of two toddlers. Picture: Geordi Offord

Sitting on concrete benches and camp chairs in front of a maroon concrete wall with an Aboriginal flag, a microphone and two loudspeakers in front of them, numerous locals encouraged each other to come together and lean upon Jesus Christ as they grieved.

In between Christian music playing loudly across the town over the speakers, many shared heartfelt prayers and uplifting testimonies to impress God’s power upon those gathered.

Late in the afternoon at the vigil, a woman began to sing while a man joined her with his guitar.

The streets remained mostly deserted as devastated locals mourned.

On social media, community members encouraged one another to band together in their faith during a prayer vigil at 6pm.

Woorabinda Hospital. Picture: Geordi Offord

On social media, community members have encouraged one another to band together in their faith during a prayer vigil at 6pm.

“I just want to call on all pastors and leaders in the churches in Woorabinda to come together as one body this evening 6pm at the tennis court through love n unity according to Psalms 133 vs 1-3 to pray against the strongholds that is coming against our people because Ephesians 6 vs 12 says we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the demon spirits of the unseen world that are operating at the moment so we must humble ourselves before God almighty through his love to stand together and fight through the word of God to pull down every strongholds because souls are at stake here,” one post said.

“I pray that god gives you the strength and courage to keep pushing forward. Yous so an amazing job everyday.”

Nicole Britcher offered a public prayer on the page, writing “Heavenly Father I pray that you heal Woorabinda … may you walk before each and every child guiding them to your goodness and protecting them from what is not of you”.

Janine Weazel wrote “too many young souls leaving this world … prayers and thoughts to all the families whose hearts are breaking … may the Lord give you strength to get through this loss.”

A scooter outside the house in Woorabinda. Picture: Geordi Offard

Family members have also expressed their sorrow.

“I know I’ll miss seeing his face … when you sneak around to nannies to play with the blocks in the sand and have some treats … you will be sadly missed tiny ones,” one loved one wrote.

The outpouring of grief is coming from all corners of the community, with the shocked community reeling from the tragic deaths.

“Heart aches for the whole community Woorabinda this is too sad waking up look straight on Facebook seeing all this …” one person wrote.

“Woorabinda thinking of community too much lost.

“Have no words just sending out some love to my people in Woorabinda feeling heartbroken,” another said.

Woorabinda is about two hours’ drive southwest of Rockhampton.

Locals have also praises the work of their local healthcare professionals and emergency services.

“Appreciation to our Woorabinda health staff, our nurses, doctors and paramedics and also the Woorie police who dedicate their lives to save and protect us,” one post said.

Another person wrote, “It is so true my brother, Lifting up prayers for all the Families and Friends with so much breaks ‘sorry business’ and those services providers who provide care, support to our Woorabinda Community. God Bless and may our ancestors come and be amongst us and give us Strength.”

Saturday football matches were cancelled following the tragedies.

Posting on the What’s Happening Woories Facebook page, Bowlie Cameron wrote “no footy tomorrow (Saturday) … this is too much”.

“How much are we going to take, this is no good, my heart hurts for the families that (are) going through all this heartache”.

Originally published as Two boys found dead in car at Woorabinda, west of Rockhampton