Emergency Zone Declared After Occupants Flee Car Crash – Canoona, QLD – 16 September 2025

What happened

Incident Overview

A major police operation was launched on Tuesday afternoon, September 16, 2025, after several occupants fled on foot following a car crash near Canoona in Central Queensland. The vehicle crashed near the Canoona Speed Farm, about an hour west of Yeppoon. At 1:42 pm, Queensland Police declared an emergency situation under the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA), establishing an exclusion zone around the crash site. The occupants are believed to be hiding in nearby bushland.

“Residents inside the declared zone have been urged to remain indoors, and the public is advised to avoid the area while the search continues.” — Queensland Police Service

• Crash Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025 (afternoon)
• Location: Kunwarara Road (Bruce Highway) near Canoona Speed Farm, north of Raspberry Creek Road, Central Queensland

• Unspecified vehicle (crashed near Canoona Speed Farm; occupants fled on foot)

• Fatality:
  • No fatalities confirmed at this stage.
• Serious Injuries:
  • No confirmed injuries reported.
• No Injuries:
  • Police have not confirmed whether any vehicle occupants were injured prior to fleeing.

The emergency declaration has disrupted travel along the Bruce Highway near Canoona and left residents inside the declared zone on alert. Locals have been urged to remain indoors, and the situation has heightened concern in the community as police continue the bushland search for the suspects.

Emergency Response

• Police declared a *Public Safety Preservation Act* emergency situation at 1:42 pm.
• A two-kilometre exclusion zone was set up around the crash site, covering part of Kunwarara Road (Bruce Highway) north of Raspberry Creek Road.
• Residents inside the zone were instructed to stay indoors, and motorists were advised to avoid the area.
• Officers began combing surrounding bushland to locate the occupants.

“Police declared an emergency situation under the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) at 1.42pm.” — Queensland Police Service

Investigation

Queensland Police are examining:

• The circumstances leading to the vehicle crashing near Canoona Speed Farm.
• The identity of the occupants who fled and whether the vehicle was stolen or linked to other offences.
• Any risks posed to nearby residents and businesses inside the exclusion zone.

Appeal for Information

Authorities are urging anyone with information or dashcam/CCTV footage to contact:

• Policelink: Report online at [www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting](https://www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting) or call 131 444
• Crime Stoppers QLD: Call 1800 333 000 or report online at [www.crimestoppersqld.com.au](https://www.crimestoppersqld.com.au)