Driver may have had medical episode
Emergency services say the truck driver who crashed into four vehicles may have suffered a medical crisis.
One of the cars, containing a mother and two young girls, crashed from behind and got stuck in the construction area.
The girls, 3-year-old Ineza and one-year-old Itahe, were traveling with their mother, identified only as Denyse, when their vehicle was hit by a truck on Banya Avenue in Banya, south-west of Caloundra, at about 11.45am on Thursday.
The three-year-old suffered serious head and chest injuries and was taken by helicopter to Queensland Children’s Hospital. His younger sister was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a critical condition before being taken to Queensland Children’s Hospital..
Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman Nick Haug said the girls were unconscious when they were removed from the car.
Denyse, in her 30s, was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital with head and chest injuries and was in a stable condition but was discharged on Friday.
Their daughter was still fighting for her life in the hospital Friday.
“The last update I received was no change from last night,” Acting Superintendent Matthew Robertson said. “They were in critical condition at the hospital, they were being seen by doctors and there was no change.”
New security cameras show the moment the speeding truck crashed into the first of four cars before continuing on.
He then hit three more vehicles stopped at an intersection; Among them was the young family’s car.
Paramedics examined a total of seven people, including the truck driver, with the remaining four taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
A man who was in another car that was hit by the truck told Nine News that he and some tradesmen at the construction site pulled the two girls out of the car.
“People who witnessed the accident immediately rushed to help and helped everyone involved in the accident. No one hesitated to participate in the accident, help and provide support,” Robertson said.
Haug said the truck driver could not immediately remember the incident, and Robertson confirmed officers were investigating the possibility he may have suffered a medical episode.
He said police would look at factors such as road and weather conditions, as well as the visibility of traffic lights. He also confirmed that no stolen vehicles were involved.
“They were just people doing their normal jobs.”
The acting superintendent said this is a reminder to drivers and members of the public to be situationally aware on the roads and pay attention to road safety messages.
“Be aware of the dangers of being on and around the road and be careful so we can prevent more injuries on our roads in 2026,” Robertson said.
Police appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
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