Major highway locked down and delayed after misunderstanding involving gunshots
Hundreds of drivers were caught in a dramatic lockdown in Coles Creek, Queensland, on Friday following reports of gunshots fired towards the Bruce Highway.
Police were called to the scene on the busy motorway near Gympie just after 12.15pm, with reported shots fired in the area adjacent to Maher Road.
Specialist police, some in body armour, rushed to the rural area, where an exclusion zone was set up and the highway closed in both directions.
The army used defence vehicles to block the highway.
The situation prompted an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA), which remained in place until shortly after 2pm.
The closure brought traffic to a standstill, leaving motorists stranded for more than two hours with kilometres of backup.
Investigations revealed that two people were target shooting on private property on Maher Road, sparking concern among locals.
Police scoured the area for shell casings but found no evidence to support the initial concerns.
A man and woman are assisting police with their inquiries.
No one has been physically injured as a result of the incident.
Police said there 'is no ongoing threat to the public'.
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