Two people are feared dead and two others were fighting for their lives on Monday afternoon after a utility terrain vehicle rolled off a road and crashed into trees in Sandy Creek, southeast Queensland, according to 7News.
Emergency services were called to Cedar Vale Road at approximately 1.30pm following reports of the serious crash. The Queensland Ambulance Service confirmed that two patients sustained life-threatening injuries in the incident.
A woman who suffered significant injuries to her head, abdomen and limbs was airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, where she arrived in a stable condition. A second patient was flown to Sunshine Coast University Hospital, also described as stable on arrival. Grave fears remain, however, for two other people involved in the crash.
A dog travelling on board the utility terrain vehicle also died at the scene.
The Queensland Police Service confirmed that its Forensic Crash Unit has been tasked with investigating the full circumstances of the collision. Forensic crash investigations typically examine factors including vehicle condition, road surface, speed, and driver behaviour, and can take several weeks to complete.
Sandy Creek is a small locality in the Scenic Rim region of southeast Queensland, situated in hilly terrain that is popular for rural and recreational vehicle use. Utility terrain vehicles, sometimes called side-by-sides, are four-wheel off-road vehicles commonly used on rural properties and increasingly popular for recreational purposes. They are subject to varying registration and safety requirements depending on where and how they are operated.
The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Health have not issued further statements at this stage. Authorities have not released the identities of those involved pending formal notification of next of kin.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Queensland Police.