Queensland’s top paramedic has issued a desperate plea for motorists to slow down this holiday season after a Caboolture South woman died in a motorcycle crash following a toy run north of Brisbane.
NCA NewsWire understands the woman, 57, had participated in the toy run event and was riding home when her bike collided with a Suzuki Swift hatchback at the intersection of Morayfield Rd and Caboolture River Rd on Saturday evening.
Tragically, the woman sustained critical injuries and died at the scene.
On Sunday, Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) medical director Stephen Ashford said it was the “ultimate tragedy” to lose someone at this time of year.
As well as having to console the family of the woman, he revealed the toll such tragedies had on emergency services who are tasked with responding to crashes like this.
“It’s very difficult to be able to deliver the message to family that we are no longer able to resuscitate your loved one and we have to cease resuscitation,” Dr Ashford said.
“It’s unfathomably more difficult to receive that news as a family member.
“It’s an ultimate tragedy at this time of year to lose a mother, a wife, a friend, doing something for the community.”
With the holiday season well underway in the Sunshine State, Dr Ashford urged motorists and motorcycle riders to take care on the roads with two simple requests: slow down and follow the road rules.
“Please over this festive season, please slow down, follow the five road rules, drive to the conditions and get there safely,” he said.
“There’s more people on the roads … it is a busy time for us.”
Dr Ashford also urged people to be aware of responding to emergency vehicles travelling to jobs, revealing a smooth drive for paramedics could mean the difference between life and death.
“I don’t think most people ignore us, a lot find it difficult to understand what we’re asking,” he said.
“When you see an emergency vehicle come up behind you, we just ask you to move to the left. We’ll try and stay in the right hand lane as best we can and won’t go zigzagging between traffic.
“Do it safely … a smooth drive is always a faster drive for us.
“We’re saving one to two minutes – those one to two minutes may well be important to open someone’s airways and save a life.”
Two boys, 17 and 15, in the Suzuki hatchback sustained minor injuries following Saturday night’s crash.
Police investigations into the crash are ongoing and officers have appealed for anyone with dashcam footage at the time of the crash to come forward.