Father and two children killed in crash on Capricornia Hwy in Queensland's Central Highlands identified
Shaun Ranger, Baylee, 7, and Chandler, 6 died in a horrific crash on the Capricornia 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 trio, as well as another man, were travelling in a Holden Commodore towards Blackwater when the car struck a Toyota Hilux ute driving in the opposite direction.
Ranger's fiancé, Renee Carla, has now been left a single mother to the pair's youngest daughter, Saphora, 2.
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 other man inside the Holden was also killed, while 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.
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.
Police are continuing to investigate the crash.
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 after 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 after crashing into a trailer being towed by a ute in Mackay.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
2 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Aussie tradie stared down barrel of gun on Bruce Highway in Queensland
A driver has told 7NEWS exclusively of the terrifying moment he was shot at on a major Queensland highway. The moment sparked a dramatic, hour-long pursuit along the Bruce Highway, north of Brisbane. The 31-year-old concreter was heading home when a black Commodore roared up behind him just before the Bald Hills exit about 2.15pm on Tuesday afternoon, tailgating and ramming his white Nissan Navara. A man then leaned out the window with a gun, the tradie said in his witness statement. 'They were tailgating me; they would have been centimetres from the rear tray of my ute,' he told 7NEWS exclusively, not wanting to be named. 'I've seen the barrel come out and then bang.' The gunmen allegedly tried to spin his ute out before slamming on their brakes, forcing him to crash into the rear of their car. 'I've gone to go left and then they've like tried to spin me out, and then I've tried to pull over and then they've like come up beside me, shown me the gun,' he said. 'I've like, hit the brakes, they've gone in front of me, smashed on their brakes, I've rear-ended them, and then I've just tried to stay back, got the camera out, started video on. 'Yeah, it's pretty full on, mate.' Queensland Police said the chase stretched 40km, with officers using tyre spikes to bring the Commodore to a halt on a property at Armstrong Creek. The car was running on rims when it stopped. The dog squad arrested two men, who were both bitten during the takedown. One man was taken to hospital. The Commodore will be forensically examined as detectives prepare to lay charges. The concreter escaped unharmed. 'Yeah, very lucky, yeah, it could have ended way worse,' he said.
7NEWS
a day 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.
