Serious traffic crash, Helidon

What happened

Incident Overview

On Friday, January 13, 2023, a serious single-vehicle crash occurred on the Warrego Highway near Helidon, Queensland, in the early hours of the morning. A grey 2009 Toyota Camry, allegedly stolen from Toowoomba on Tuesday, January 10, left the road, struck a tree, and caught fire, resulting in critical injuries to both occupants.

A passing motorist alerted emergency services, who promptly extinguished the blaze. The two occupants, a man and woman in their twenties, sustained critical injuries including serious burns and were airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital for treatment.

Location and Time

The collision occurred on the westbound carriageway of the Warrego Highway near Helidon at approximately 2:00am on Friday morning, January 13, 2023.

Vehicles Involved

Vehicle 1

• Make/Model: Grey 2009 Toyota Camry
• Direction: westbound
• Status: Allegedly stolen from Toowoomba on Tuesday, January 10
• Occupants: Two persons in their twenties (man and woman)

Injuries / Fatalities

Fatalities

• None reported.

Injuries

• Man in his twenties (critical injuries including serious burns; airlifted to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital)
• Woman in her twenties (critical injuries including serious burns; airlifted to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital)

Community Impact

The westbound lanes of the Warrego Highway were closed throughout the night following the incident and reopened at approximately 7:00am, causing traffic disruption in the early morning hours.

Emergency Response

Emergency services attended the scene promptly following notification by a passing motorist. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services extinguished the vehicle fire, and Queensland Ambulance Service airlifted both occupants to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital for treatment of critical injuries.

Investigation

Queensland Police Forensic Crash Unit is leading the investigation into the circumstances of the crash. Police are appealing for witnesses, particularly motorists with dashcam footage of the Warrego Highway at the time of the incident or in the moments leading up to the crash, to come forward with information.

Appeal for Information

Queensland Police are appealing for witnesses or persons with dashcam vision of the crash or the moments preceding it to contact Policelink on 131 444, submit information via the online suspicious activity form at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting, or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au. Reference number: QP2300070385.