‘Shining light in my life’: Family in horror triple fatality identified

The father and his two children, aged 15 and 8, who died in a crash north of Dalby have been identified as the tragic reason for the sudden impact has been revealed.

A father and his two children killed in a two-car crash northwest of Toowoomba have been identified. The family of four was travelling along Dalby-Jandowae Rd at Jimbour East when their sedan was allegedly rear-ended by a LandCruiser ute about 11am on Monday, police said. Backseat passengers, 15-year-old Ocean and eight-year-old Warrior sustained critical injuries and died at the scene. picture 7 News

The father and his two children who died in a horrific crash north of Dalby have been identified.

The family of four were travelling on Dalby Jandowae Rd, Jimbour East about 11am on Monday when the sedan they were driving in was allegedly crashed into from behind.

The two children, Ocean Harris, 15, and Warrior Harris, eight, were in the back seat of the car and sustained critical injuries.

Their 54-year-old dad, Phil Harris, was sitting in the front seat and was also declared dead at the scene.

His wife, Krystal Reddacliff, was rushed to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital where she is fighting for her life.

She was flown in a critical condition with chest, abdominal and arm injuries.

(From left) Ocean Harris, Phil Harris and Warrior Harris. The Jandowae father and his two child died in a traffic crash on Dalby-Jandowae Road at Jimbour East on June 17, 2024.

Devastated son and brother Storm Reddacliff took to social media to share an online fundraiser he set up in memory of his “beloved family”.

“In memory of my beloved family, who tragically passed away in a car accident on Jimbour east road from Jandowae, I humbly ask for your support,” Mr Reddacliff wrote.

“Your donation will help cover funeral expenses and support my wellbeing during this difficult time. Any contribution, big or small, will be deeply appreciated.

“My family was a shining light in my life, and their loss has left a profound impact on me. Your kindness and generosity will help me navigate this challenging period and honour their memory.”

Three people were killed in the crash on Dalby-Jandowae Rd, Monday, June 17, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Jandowae publican Red Clark said the town was rocked by the tragedy.

“They are from a very polite family and they were good kids,” she said

“We are all pretty shocked.”

Dad reversing to help council worker when tragedy struck

Sources close to the investigation in the triple fatal that killed a father and his two children have revealed the driver, the father, was reversing along Dalby-Jandowae Road in the moments before tragedy struck.

The Jandowae family were travelling in an older model Nissan Terrano when it was struck from behind by a utility vehicle.

It is understood the father was reversing to help a Western Downs Regional Council worker.

The impact killed the 54-year-old father and his two children, aged 8 and 15.

Their mother suffered critical chest, abdominal and arm injuries and was flown to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, by a LifeFlight aeromedical team.

The family was “heavily” entrapped in its vehicle after the crash at Jimbour East at 10.50am on Monday.

The driver of the second vehicle was treated for back injuries. He was later taken by road to Dalby Hospital.

Dalby Patrol Group Inspector Greg Wheeler said the scene was “horrific”.

“Whenever there is children involved it is extra traumatic,” he said.

“At roughly 11am there was a two-vehicle traffic crash, as a result three people are now deceased and another is in critical condition in Brisbane

“A 4WD has collided with the rear of a sedan and the children were occupants were in the rear seat.

A Western Downs Regional Council spokewoman said the worker had been offered support.

“We can confirm Council had a contractor working in the vicinity of the accident (on Monday),” she said.

“Council has engaged the services of a trauma counsellor through our Employee Assistance Program and this service has been made available to the contractor and all members of the contracting company.

“This service has also been extended to Council employees during this heartbreaking time for the Western Downs community.”

Three people killed in multi-car crash on Dalby-Jandowae Rd, Monday, June 17, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Emergency services worked through the day to make the scene safe and by 3pm the police chaplain was called in to provide support for the first responders.

Insp Wheeler said the Forensic Crash Unit would work to confirm a sequence of events that may go some way to preventing similar crashes.

“It was a bright, sunny day and the crash was on a sealed, straight road,” he said.

“All we can say is plan your trip, plan to get home safe, look after your loved ones and other road users and be sure you are well and truly aware of what you are doing at all times.”

A LifeFlight rescue chopper was called to the crash.

The Dalby-Jandowae Rd was closed for several hours.

The crash was initially reported as involving a B-double semi-trailer, but was later clarified as a smaller vehicle.

Queensland Ambulance Service Dalby Officer-in-Charge Alister Batterham urged motorists to slow down and drive with care.

“With the school holidays coming up, this tragic accident is a timely reminder for us to all take responsibility, drive to the conditions and ensure we take extra care with the extra traffic we will see on our roads,” he said.

“These types of incidents are confronting for first responders and the bystanders who come across these traffic crashes and alert emergency services.”

A total of five ambulance units were sent from Dalby, Jandowae and Toowoomba, including a rescue helicopter.

Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the crash was tragic.

“Like any of these types of things, we will investigate that very thoroughly,” he said.

“But can I please remind everyone that we have a significant challenge with our road tolls this year.

“People on the road need to obey the rules of the road and drive to the conditions.”

Commissioner Gollschewski said police would increase their focus in enforcing the road rules because it was an area of concern.

“The entire leadership team has committed to doing more in the road safety space, because too many Queenslanders are losing their lives,” he said.

The crash comes one what had been a busy morning for emergency services.

A rescue chopper was called to a two-vehicle crash on Mundubbera-Durong Road at Durong about 9.50am.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the Bundaberg-based RACQ LifeFlight chopper had taken a female in serious condition to hospital.

Earlier, a male patient suffered a leg injury are a car and truck collided on the Leichardt Highway at Moonie.

Police and paramedics were called to the incident about 20km north of Goondiwindi about 8.50am and transported the man to hospital in a stable condition.

In an unrelated matter, firefighters were called to free a person from a wreck after two cars collided at the corner of Long and Water streets about 10.30am.

*An earlier version of this article made reference to the mother as the driver. This was incorrect.