CCTV shows moment before teens' alleged stolen Mercedes joyride kills three
The car was allegedly stolen by a 13-year-old boy before it was involved in a fatal collision killing three women.
CCTV footage has emerged showing the moment a car was allegedly stolen from a house in Queensland, just hours before being involved in a horrific crash that killed a 17-year-old girl, two other women and left another fighting for her life.
The footage appears to show two boys — one aged 13 — approach the car parked in the driveway of the Maryborough home before jumping inside and driving off, smashing through a fence on the way. Police say the alleged theft was carried out at around 8.40pm on Sunday, two hours before a fatal crash occurred.
The stolen Mercedes Benz, allegedly being driven by a 13-year-old boy, smashed into the rear of a Holden, being driven by 17-year-old Kelsie Davies. Queensland Police said Ms Davies was travelling down Saltwater Creek Road with two passengers when they were rear-ended by the Mercedes. The force of the collision caused the Holden to collide with a Mazda headed in the opposite direction towards Hervey Bay.
The driver and sole occupant of the Mazda, Maryborough nurse Sheree Robertson, 52, from Torquay, died at the scene along with Ms Davies and one passenger in the Holden, 29-year-old mum-of-two Michale Chandler.
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The second passenger travelling in the Holden — a 23-year-old woman — was airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a critical condition. The driver of the Mercedes-Benz, a 13-year-old Bundaberg boy, sustained minor injuries to his foot.
Town in mourning: 'Should not be happening'
The tragic crash has left the Queensland town in mourning and struggling with the loss of the three women. Assistant Police Commissioner Brian Connors said "all of the persons involved from the victims' side ... are all local people who have roots in the community".
Colleagues of the killed nurse, Ms Robertson, were among those who rushed to the scene. She was returning home from a shift at the Maryborough Hospital.
"A number of nurses who were ceasing duty and a paramedic who was ceasing duty, who are known to... the nurse that's passed away... came and assisted," Queensland Ambulance operations supervisor Martin Kelly said.
The incident is having "a tremendous impact" on health and emergency services workers, he added. "A number of our paramedics know the nurse as well and it makes it very difficult when responders know people involved in these incidents."
On Monday, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said her heart went out to the families impacted by the fatal collision. "This is an awful, awful tragedy," she said. "It just should not be happening."
Tragic tributes for crash victims
The youngest victim of the crash, Kelsie Davies, was just weeks away from her 18th birthday. She's is being remembered as a "very kind and sweet-natured kid", who had her whole life ahead of her, according to Courier Mail.
Ms Chandler, who was travelling with Ms Davies, has left behind her husband Matthew and two children. Mr Chandler paid tribute to his beloved wife on Facebook.
"It is with the utmost heavy heart that we say goodbye for now to our darling Michale Chandler," he wrote.
"You were and will continue to hold the world’s greatest wife and mum award. Until we meet in heaven my Queen, love you to the moon and back."
13yo boy charged, known to police
Police are investigating if a passenger of the stolen car fled the scene. Meanwhile, the 13-year-old Bundaberg boy, who was known to police, has since been charged with three counts of dangerous operation of motor vehicle causing death and one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle. He is due before Maroochydore Childrens Court at a later date.
Investigations are continuing and anyone who saw the silver Mercedes-Benz travelling in the Maryborough and Hervey Bay area before the crash, is urged to contact police. Anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage is asked to come forward.
with AAP
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