Fourth victim of horror crash on Capricorn Hwy in Queensland's Central Highlands identified
Corey Bietzel was returning home from a camping trip with his friend Shaun Ranger and Ranger's two children Baylee, 7, and Chandler, 6, when they were involved in a collision on the Capricorn Hwy, between Comet and Blackwater in the state's Central Highlands, just before 11am on Sunday.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
The group were travelling in a Holden Commodore towards Blackwater when it struck a Toyota Hilux ute driving in the opposite direction. All four were declared dead at the scene.
It is understood Ranger's fiancee, Renee Carla, was travelling in another car behind.
Carla has been left a single mother to the couple's youngest daughter, Saphora, 2.
Bietzel's family on Monday revealed he was also involved in the crash as they shared a touching tribute, describing him as a 'loving son, grandson, a devoted father, brother, cousin and friend'.
His cousin Taya-Marie Harper said he 'touched the hearts of many people and left an irreplaceable void' and the family are 'heartbroken over this unexpected loss'.
'Corey was loved and cherished by many and brought much joy and light to people's lives,' she said.
Harper has launched a GoFundMe to help support her family as they prepare to give Bietzel 'the send off he deserves'.
The tributes for Bietzel come after it was revealed earlier on Monday a family of five had been torn apart by the deaths of Ranger and his two children.
Chantel Semple, a friend of Carla's, said Baylee had a cheeky smile and a love for horses, while Chandler 'was a sweet and kind-hearted little boy' who enjoyed the outdoors.
'Shaun (was) a dedicated and selfless father, supportive friend and loving partner,' Semple said in a fundraiser she set up for the family.
'We are all very heartbroken over this unexpected loss and want to give them the send-off they deserve, a meaningful goodbye, surrounded by the people who love them.'
The two men inside the ute were both taken to hospital.
A 28-year-old man is in a serious but stable condition, while a 27-year-old man was airlifted to Brisbane and is fighting for life.
It is believed the pair had been travelling for work.
The Capricorn Hwy was closed in both directions for several hours while police remained at the scene.
The Holden was completely destroyed in the crash and the wreckage was left crumpled on the side of the highway while the ute had flipped onto its roof.
Inspector Ben Wiltshire said both of the vehicles had caught fire on impact.
He said it was a 'high-speed' crash but that the exact circumstances were still being investigated.
Wiltshire said the injuries the victims sustained were 'horrific'.
'There is a complex investigation that takes place for every fatal traffic accident and this was no exception,' he said.
'We need to conduct a thorough investigation before we make any decisions about charges.'
Wiltshire said the tragedy would reverberate throughout the entire Central Highlands community.
As a result of the accident, police will be ramping up traffic enforcement efforts throughout the region.
'This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of road safety,' Wiltshire said.
'These lives were cut short far too soon leaving families and loved ones to grapple with the unimaginable grief.'
Eleven people were killed on Queensland's roads over the weekend, including three teens who crashed into another car while trying to overtake a semi-trailer in Mackay on Friday night.
Two of the teens have been identified as T-Jay Petrass and Liam Doumergue, both 19, while a 19-year-old girl also travelling in their car was killed.
Also on Friday a 21-year-old girl was killed in a head-on collision in the Gympie Region, while a 26-year-old man died falling out of a car in Tamborine.
Police are also investigating after a car hit and killed an 18-year-old man lying on the road in the South Burnett region on Saturday morning.
Later that morning a 45-year-old motorbike rider died when he crashed into a trailer being towed by a ute in Mackay.
Wiltshire urged motorists to drive to the conditions and said a split-second decision could be a matter of life or death.
'Don't speed, drive to the conditions, avoid distractions and ensure that you're well rested before embarking on any long journey,' he said.
'Our families, our friends and our children are depending on you.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Horrific rail crossing crash near Albany ignites calls for improved level crossing safety
Level crossing safety has been thrust into the spotlight after a mother of three was killed in a crash between a four-wheel-drive and a grain train at a rail crossing near Albany. Cailee Mansell, 29, died on Wednesday, July 16, after the Mitsubishi Triton her family were driving in was hit by a CBH Group train at a a level crossing in Redmond. Ms Mansell, who was a passenger, suffered critical injuries and died at the scene. Her heartbroken family have launched a fundraiser to support her husband and children left behind. In a post on fundraising site GoFundMe, organisers said Ms Mansell was 'a light upon this earth' who was taken far too soon. 'Her sudden passing has left an unimaginable void in the hearts of all who knew her,' the post read. 'She leaves behind her heartbroken husband, Haydn and their three young children, who now face life without their mum's warmth, love and guidance.' The donations — which amounted to more than $92,000 on Tuesday — will go to funeral and memorial expenses, child care and schooling needs, and daily living costs. Redmond residents living near the rail line have joined the calls for improved level crossings, with Carly Pateman-Baker — who lives 50m from the train line — telling ABC that 'no one stops' at the crossing. 'To find out this has happened right at our doorstep . . . is pretty scary,' she said. 'Normal train lines either have warning lights . . . or a barrier that comes down before a train is close to the railway line.' WA currently has 960 public road level crossings on operational rail lines, about half of which are fitted with flashing lights or boom gates. A State Government review conducted in 2023 deemed 13 of the passive crossings on State roads should be upgraded with active controls, but Countryman understands the Redmond crossing falls under the City of Albany. The accident occurred just weeks after a trio of WA families marked the 25-year anniversary of a fatal level crossing accident at Jennacubbine in the Wheatbelt. There were renewed calls for improved level crossing safety and mandatory lighting on trains. Each of these families — the Jensen, Broad and Smith families — are part of a national campaign called Improve Level Crossing Safety and Train Lighting, which includes nine other families from across Australia. Campaign spokeswoman Lara Jensen said the families' hearts 'broke all over again' when they heard about the Redmond crash — for Ms Mansell's family, as well as the two train drivers and emergency personnel involved. 'Australia's Rail Safety National Law states that the regulator, Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator must facilitate safe rail operations, yet in the last four years we have seen ONRSR ignore three train lighting reports it commissioned that all found additional lighting improves train visibility,' she said. 'It is deeply concerning that the rail industry is still not being made to comply with the findings of its own research. 'Rail companies operate businesses that create serious risks and so they have a responsibility to mitigate these risks by doing all they can to ensure their locomotives and rolling stock are clearly illuminated at all times for rural road users that interact with them at more than 18,000 regional crossings without lights or boom gates around Australia. 'Improving level crossings safety requires multiple actions, and fitting auxiliary lighting to locomotives and rolling stock (hazard, side, front and beacon lighting) is one such affordable corrective action that would improve safety and reduce preventable crashes and fatalities at regional railway crossings.' Central Wheatbelt MP Lachlan Hunter also doubled down on his calls for flashing lights to be made mandatory on trains. 'People will argue that this accident happened during the day,' he said. 'I know many farmers in my electorate who have farm machinery and they have to have lighting on their header or tractor as they move from farm-to-farm. This is not something I think is unreasonable. 'If you look at this crossing, it is a peculiar crossing . . . there is just one stop sign..' A statement from freight train operator Aurizon on Thursday confirmed the fatal collision, saying it, along with CBH, would assist police with the investigation. 'Tragically, a passenger in the vehicle lost her life in the incident and we extend our condolences to her family and friends,' the statement read. 'This incident will be felt deeply by the local community, including our train drivers and employees who live and work locally.' A CBH Group spokesman said the farmer-owned co-operative was 'deeply saddened'. 'We are deeply saddened to hear of the fatality at Redmond,' he said. 'Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the family of the deceased, and everyone affected by this tragedy. 'CBH and our rail services provider, Aurizon, are assisting the relevant authorities with their investigation.' It is understood the Australian Transport Safety Bureau will conduct an independent investigation, while major crash is also investigating the accident. Ms Mansell's death is one of 120 so far this year on WA roads, in a horror toll putting the State on track for its worst 12 months for fatalities in more than a decade.
7NEWS
20 hours ago
- 7NEWS
CCTV in childcare: safety net or security risk?
Parents are demanding answers over plans to roll out security cameras in childcare centres. But cybersecurity experts warn the move could put children in even greater danger. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today After a string of horrifying abuse cases inside Australian daycare centres pressure is mounting for a national CCTV solution. In Melbourne, Joshua Brown is facing 70 charges relating to child sexual abuse, while a childcare director at a Montessori centre in Brisbane allegedly allowed her convicted husband to work at the centre. Meanwhile, Brisbane childcare worker Nicolas James Parisi has been charged with an alleged indecent act involving a four-year-old child. Governments and industry are considering CCTV for 17,000 centres nationwide. But there's now a growing chorus of concern that surveillance might do more harm than good. Parent Melody Glaister said the system is broken. Her six-year-old daughter was once under the care of alleged serial offender Joshua Dale Brown at a childcare centre. 'She had to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases,' Glaister told 7NEWS chief reporter Chris Reason. 'CCTV cameras are not going to fix that problem. 'The whole thing is just broken. It's a mess.' While she agrees CCTV could have a place in centres, she is worried about the risk of these sensitive images being accessed by unauthorised individuals. 'The problem with CCTV is obviously the images that it captures and then making sure where that's stored and how is that information going to be protected as well,' she said. 'If that ends up in the wrong hands, that's disastrous.' Cybersecurity expert Ahmed Khanji warns that most cameras already in use are shockingly easy to hack. He showed 7NEWS how easily hackers could tap illegally into unsecured feeds from driveways to living rooms with just a few clicks. Khanji said childcare footage would be no exception. 'There are over 2 million connected devices online in Australia. Most don't even have passwords,' he said. 'More than 95 per cent would be vulnerable to an attack.' He fears security cameras could actually help predators, not prevent them. 'I mean, it horrifies me and I'm a cybersecurity professional.' Khanji warns there simply aren't enough trained experts to securely manage a nationwide rollout. The United Workers Union is also pushing back on CCTV in centres. 'That is thousands of hours of filming of children. And how do we keep that safe?' Carolyn Smith, early childhood education director with the United Workers Union, said. The union wants increased staff, training and checks. They are calling for two educators per room, no matter the number of children and stronger checks and balances on working with children approvals plus a national oversight of CCTV data — if it's used at all. Centres have to ensure 'those educators are trained and really well supported and empowered to raise issues'. As a parent, Glaister slammed the ease of obtaining and keeping a working with children check, even during ongoing investigations. 'That piece of paper means nothing to me now. It should mean everything. But it doesn't,' she said. 'But if we don't learn from this, then sadly, incidents could happen again and more parents and children could be impacted by those.'
7NEWS
a day ago
- 7NEWS
Elite Brisbane private girls college All Hallows' School closes after ‘significant event'
A prestigious all-girls Catholic school in Brisbane has been forced to suddenly close after a 'significant event' unfolded. 7NEWS understands a student died over the weekend, with an email sent out to parents at All Hallows' School just before 1.30pm on Tuesday, advising parents of the cancellation of a planned parent teacher event. The school, which accepts female students from years 5 to 12, said it would be closed from 12.30pm with sporting and cultural activities planned for the afternoon also cancelled. The email published by the Courier Mail said children were seen being picked up by parents outside the school about 2pm. 'We apologise for the late notice and appreciate your understanding that this decision was not made lightly,' Acting Deputy Principal Scott Adamson said. 'Further information will be shared by the Principal later this afternoon.' Queensland Police has been contacted for comment. If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.
