BREAKING NEWS Hospital, schools locked down after shots fired at home in Kingaroy - as suspect remains at large
An entire hospital and multiple schools have been plunged into lockdown after shots were fired in a rural town in Queensland.
Access was restricted to Kingaroy Hospital, west of the Sunshine Coast, at 6.15am on Wednesday after shots were fired from a home.
The town was placed in a partial lockdown after a number of gunshots were fired from the home on Arthur Road at about 4am.
A 25-year-old man, believed to be armed, remains on the loose.
Police believe he may be travelling in a black Suzuki Swift, with false number plates displaying 551 GE9.
More to come.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
I answered an advert to help a boomer with his phone and now we're best friends
A century ago, being friends with someone much older or younger than you was nothing unusual. Close-knit communities, multigenerational households and shared social spaces, from churches to village pubs, naturally fostered connections across age groups. Social life was lived out in the open, with village fêtes and local dances welcoming young and old, and chats over garden fences. Now, the different generations seem worlds apart. Divided by politics and technology, they're often pitted against each other across social media, with older boomers a figure of fun rather than respect. But while our communal structure has faded, eroded by urbanisation, globalisation and digital culture, there's a growing recognition of the value that intergenerational friendships bring – not just for emotional well-being, but for building empathy in an increasingly polarised world. While romantic age-gap relationships often grab the headlines, platonic bonds across the generations are far more common than we might think, with nearly four in 10 adults (37 per cent) having a close friend at least 15 years older or younger. But why do these connections matter? Irene S Levine, a psychologist and friendship expert, says these relationships can be uniquely enriching, particularly in tumultuous times: 'Younger generations bring vitality and energy to their friendships, while older ones enable young people to foreshadow their older years and learn from a mentor,' she explains. Here, we meet three sets of friends who have forged lasting bonds despite their 20-plus-year age gaps. 'Susie doesn't see me as some old fart she has to babysit' Susie Flory, 28, and Janie Deal, 72, from Hampshire, bonded over their love of cooking and now have a shared Instagram account together When Susie, then 16, wandered into Janie's kitchen in Hampshire looking for a catering job, neither of them knew it would spark a friendship that would span more than a decade. 'She had hair rollers in,' Susie recalls. 'From the minute we first met, there was just this good vibe. We were both smiley, chatty and full of energy.' Janie, now 72, remembers Susie as a 'gorgeous, tall young girl' with an unexpectedly refined palate, something she clocked from the very first mango yogurt Susie made for her. 'It was spot on,' she says. 'I employed her for the odd job that summer and our relationship just grew from there.' Twelve years later, the two cooks are inseparable despite more than 40 years' age difference between them. They walk Janie's dogs, attend events, make reels for their shared Instagram account and dissect former Made in Chelsea cast members Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo's NewlyWeds podcast together. The pair talk about everything from herbs to mental health to sex. 'Susie talks to me the way she talks to her girlfriends,' Janie says. 'Not like I'm some old fart she has to babysit.' Susie agrees: 'We literally talk about the same s--- I talk about with my 28-year-old mates.' Although they first connected over a love of food, their bond is rooted in mutual respect and a shared appetite for life. Janie credits her young-at-heart mindset to an unorthodox path: 'I got married late, had a baby before I got married – and not with the man I eventually married. I suppose that made me modern, early on.' She sees a grounded maturity in Susie beyond her years, while Susie describes herself as 'a bit of an old soul'. Their friendship is refreshingly unfiltered. 'We're very honest with each other,' Janie says. 'You [Susie] can tell if something's annoyed me, but it's so nice to have that level of openness.' Susie, who has chronic ADHD and admits to a ' way of living, credits Janie with teaching her the power of structure and forward planning. 'She changed my life,' Susie says. 'She showed me you can do all the hard stuff before the [cooking] job and still have time to get your nails done.' But the learning goes both ways. 'Susie's made me more daring – with spices and with life,' Janie smiles. 'She's the rock star of the condiment world. I've become more confident, less anxious. I've always had a spring in my step, but it's even bigger now since becoming friends with Susie. She's made me feel more whole.' Susie also credits Janie with reshaping how she thinks about ageing. 'She's shown me you don't have to slow down. Janie's got more energy than most 20-year-olds. She's made me unafraid of ageing by showing me that I have loads of time to do the stuff I love.' Janie, in turn, says Susie has helped her relax about life: 'Her 'just sort it out, fix it' approach has rubbed off on me and made me much more chilled. I used to panic if I was late; now, I just know it'll all be fine.' What truly anchors their friendship, though, is a shared love of life's simple pleasures: 'Whether it's a sunny day or a glass of wine, we go nuts for it,' Susie says. 'For both of us, happiness really does come from the little things.' 'We bonded over shared losses' Adele Walton, 25, met Tony Woodcock, 90, from East Sussex, when she answered his ad for help with his phone If a 90-year-old Brexiteer and a 25-year-old Left-wing activist walked into a pub together, you'd assume they had little in common. But in the case of Tony and Adele, you'd be quite wrong. On paper, they couldn't be more different: Adele can't stand classical music or poetry, both of which Tony adores. While he finds it difficult to get out and about, she fills her days with aerial yoga and has just finished writing her first book. Yet they have bonded over a shared love of literature and charity shops. Both are Sally Rooney fans, though unimpressed by her latest, and Tony has watched Normal People no fewer than 50 times. Adele, meanwhile, delights in rummaging through his latest charity shop hauls. 'Despite our differences, we've got a friendship grounded in shared values and interests,' Adele says. 'Social media tells us we can only be friends with people who are just like us. But actually, that's not true at all. Tony and I couldn't be more different, and that's exactly why it works.' The two first met three years ago after Tony, who was struggling to understand how to use his smartphone, placed an advertisement in the local newspaper that read 'intelligent pensioner requires smartphone tuition'. Adele, newly arrived in Lewes, spotted the 'bold and funny' ad and left him a voicemail. Soon, she was at his flat, guiding him through apps and video calls. Since then, Tony has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, meaning they've had to return to the basics, but as he puts it with a smile, 'It keeps her coming and I mean, who wouldn't want a girl like Adele visiting every week?' Over the years, the pair have celebrated birthdays together, seen in the new year with Adele's family, gone out for coffee and enjoyed watching the football at Tony's sheltered accommodation. In that time, both have also experienced profound loss. Adele lost her sister to online harm; Tony, his ex-wife, his dog Kiki and his stepdaughter. Many of their conversations have turned to death, grief and ageing. 'Talking to Tony about loss has been incredibly eye-opening,' Adele says. 'It's made me far less afraid of death. Our conversations are definitely enriched by our age difference.' Tony adds: 'We'd already bonded before those losses, but they've brought us closer because we have both suffered during the same period.' Their friendship is also a source of encouragement. 'Tony motivates me to live life to the fullest and to see every opportunity as exciting and a privilege rather than a stressful burden,' Adele says. Tony proudly reads out sections of Adele's book, Logging Off: The Human Cost of Our Digital World, at coffee mornings in his sheltered community. 'Adele's book has enabled my group to connect on a more serious level and has helped us to understand a wider section of humanity. She's also made me realise I must go back to university because I'm very envious of her first-class degree.' 'There's nothing we can't discuss' Sonica Beckmann, 38, and Merrill April, 60, from London, met at work and have become best friends Sonica and Merrill met 15 years ago at a law firm in Bristol, where Sonica was a trainee solicitor and Merrill was a training partner. From the outset, they formed a natural connection, and what began as a professional relationship quickly blossomed into a deep and lasting friendship. Sonica thought Merrill was 'really cool', while Merrill was drawn to Sonica's authentic, friendly nature – a 'breath of fresh air' in their formal, hierarchical workplace. Merrill, a devoted fan of Diana, Princess of Wales, lives by her words: 'Life is mostly froth and bubble; two things stand like stone: kindness in another's trouble, courage in our own.' Meeting Sonica felt like finding a kindred spirit who shared those values. For them, it was never about age but a shared sense of purpose and like-mindedness. Just six weeks into her training contract, Sonica lost her father. 'It was a devastating time, and Merrill took me under her wing with compassion and grace,' Sonica explains. 'Since then, she has remained one of my greatest champions, offering guidance, encouragement and unwavering support throughout every chapter of my life. 'My children adore her and proudly call her Auntie Merrill. The kids were even the first on the dance floor at her wedding, which speaks volumes about how close we are.' Despite Sonica spending 10 years abroad as an expat, their friendship never faltered. Merrill flew out to visit Sonica in Kuwait and they have 'shared countless meals, far too much tequila, late-night conversations and hilarious nights out since'. Sonica recently had the joy of organising Merrill's hen party. 'There is nothing we cannot discuss, from politics and dating to the deeper questions of life,' explains Sonica. 'She gives me steady, thoughtful advice, while I help keep her in tune with younger generational perspectives and encourage mischief.' Their friendship is a two-way street of learning and inspiration. Sonica has taught Merrill not to let others judge or pigeonhole her, describing her as 'eternally optimistic'. 'She just keeps going and never lets anything get her down,' Merrill says. Meanwhile, Merrill has helped Sonica adopt a healthier lifestyle. 'I've struggled with depression and anxiety, and Merrill showed me how exercise, especially CrossFit, can help clear my mental fog,' Sonica explains. Though they share core values, their different life experiences bring fresh perspectives. Merrill reflects, 'We're at different phases of life. Sometimes, one of us is up while the other is down, whether it's relationships, finances, or parenting. That difference allows us to support and learn from each other. When I was younger, I panicked about how things would turn out in my career, but I can reassure Sonica now, having been there and done that.' Sonica adds with a smile, 'A nice thing about the age gap is that we're not competing. There's no rivalry, just mutual support.' Five tips for forming intergenerational friendships Irene S Levine, PhD, is a psychologist and friendship expert. She is the producer of The Friendship Blog and author of the seminal book on female friendship 'Best Friends Forever: Surviving a Breakup with Your Best Friend'. Here's her advice: 1. Embrace people who are different Recognise that not all your friends must be 'just like you', in terms of age, gender, social status, lifestyle and so on. If you do not, you limit the universe of potential friends. There is much to be gained by expanding your circle to people who are different. They can add breadth to our lives. 2. Take part in social activities Place yourself in situations where you can meet friends based on shared interests. Join a community group, religious group or gym, or take a class or engage in a hobby, where you can meet the same people on a regular basis and see who might be 'friend-worthy' to you. For example, mah-jong (popular in the 1950s and 1960s) now engages people of all ages because the game is social. 3. Mine your neighbourhood Proximity makes it easy to form friendships and convenient to nurture them. An older or younger neighbour may welcome your friendship, companionship or help. Get outdoors. Walk in a local park or around your area and initiate a smile, hello, and begin a brief conversation. 4. Look for friends at work Working people spend a good amount of time with their colleagues, whether in the office or remotely. Since workers already have something in common, it's an organic way to make friendships with people of different ages and life circumstances. 5. Be open to change Don't succumb to the myth that everyone already has their friends. Friendships at every age are dynamic and change over time. People come and go in our lives as their interests and life circumstances change.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Pensioner killed in brutal park attack was ‘adored' by community, daughter says
A grandfather who was killed by two teenagers as he walked his dog in the park was a 'family man through and through' and 'adored' by the community, his daughter has said. Bhim Kohli, 80, was just yards away from his home in Braunstone Town, Leicestershire, when he was kicked and punched in Franklin Park by a balaclava-clad boy on the evening of September 1 last year. The 15-year-old boy was ordered to serve seven years' detention and a 13-year-old girl was handed a three-year rehabilitation order by a High Court judge on Thursday at Leicester Crown Court for his manslaughter. A trial heard Mr Kohli was racially abused and slapped in the face with a slider shoe by the boy while the girl filmed and laughed. In an interview, Mr Kohli's daughter Susan Kohli said her father was 'the most crazy, loving person you could meet'. She said the family had moved away from Braunstone Town, where they had lived since the late 80s, for two years but returned to the area before her father was killed because her mother Satinder missed living there. They are now considering leaving the area again because of the painful memories of her father's death in a park he visited often. Ms Kohli said: 'We never had any problems. It only just started a couple of months prior to dad passing. 'It was peaceful. We came back, not knowing two-and-a-half years later, that that neighbourhood was going to take our dad. 'We have been discussing, do we leave? Do we move? As much as we have all our memories there, we have that one memory. 'But even if we do move, it is never going to go away. Also, why should we move? Because if we move, that just means they have won. 'They have pushed us out from a place we have always called home. We love the area, we love the community, our neighbours are our whole family and we know if we go and move we won't get that anywhere else.' The fatal attack on Mr Kohli was the last of several incidents involving local youths, including one in the July before he died in which he was racially abused and spat on, his daughter said. An emotional Ms Kohli said her father was not one to 'pick a fight' and although some incidents were reported to the police, the family just wanted the children involved to be given a 'firm talking to'. She recalled her father's passion for working on his allotment, how he would always put his family first and would spend hours in the park where he was later attacked talking to people as he walked his dog Rocky. She said: 'He just got on with life and was full of life. He was a complete joker, he would do anything and everything for his family. 'He would always put the children and his family first. He was a family man through and through. Even his friends adored him, the community adored him. 'You would walk through the park and everyone would just talk to him – they would just stand and chat to him. 'He'd be in the park for an hour and the dog would be sitting at the front door because he came home. He was much loved by everyone. ' People who hadn't seen him for 30 or 40 years reached out when it happened and that just showed how much people loved my dad even though they didn't see him for so long.' Ms Kohli said Rocky was 'lost' without her father, adding: 'We all are.' Despite her pain, Ms Kohli, who sat through every day of the trial of her father's killers, said hate was a 'strong word' but the teenagers had shown no remorse for what they had done and instead told 'lie after lie'. She said: 'I feel anger. There is part of hate, because they took my dad. They took my dad away from us for no reason whatsoever. 'Anyone who can do something like that, there are no words for it. I could say some words but it wouldn't be appropriate, because then that just makes me as bad as them.' She added: 'There doesn't seem to be any remorse. We were there every day and there was no inkling that you could see that they were remorseful. 'There were inconsistencies in their evidence from the day they were questioned by the police to the day they were giving their defence statement a month prior to court and even when they were in the (witness box). It was just lie after lie.' Because of their age, the boy and girl were allowed to sit in the well of the court throughout the trial instead of the dock and barristers and the judge did not wear their traditional robes. Ms Kohli said she did not believe the teenagers deserved being treated with 'gentle gloves' after what they did to her father. She said: 'Why should they be given grace for what they have done? In my eyes, you chose to take my dad's life so why should you be treated with gentle gloves? 'It is not as though they chose to have a fight or beat up a young person of their own age, or someone in their 20s. 'They chose to attack a defenceless pensioner. And for that I can't give them any of my sympathy.' Ms Kohli said it was 'disturbing' having to watch the video clips the girl had made of the attack on her father during the trial. She said: 'It was really hard, really hard to watch that. They attacked dad several times. 'It started where they hit dad with the slider and he was on his knees. He then got up to leave the park and they didn't let him leave, and that is where we just can't understand why. 'Why would they not just let my dad leave the park? He was trying to come home. 'Children of that age attacking an old age pensioner. You can see from his physique that he's a very gentle, frail man. 'What was going through their heads? That is what I cannot understand and get my head around.' Ms Kohli said that while social media had a 'part to play', parents must also take more responsibility for their children. She said: 'They were out at crazy times, on the phones at gone midnight, these are children. 'I know this isn't to all parents but they need to know what their children are up to because how can a 12-year-old and a 14-year-old do something like this to an old age pensioner? 'Did they not think, what if that happened to their parents, their grandparents? How would they have felt? 'It's about adults taking responsibility. Hold the parents accountable then. Bring them to court as well.' Recalling the moment she ran to the park after being alerted to her father having been attacked, Ms Kohli said she knew it was serious because her father never usually complained about pain but was in 'agony' on the ground. She said: 'He never goes to the doctor, he's never in pain, he never complained he was in pain, it wasn't what he was about. 'He would never ever complain about being in pain, in agony, he would just get up and carry on. 'It was absolutely heartbreaking to see him in pain like that when he's never complained about being in pain, never in his life.' Ms Kohli said her family had been left 'broken' by her father's death. She said: 'He was the one that held us all together and that's gone now.'
Sky News
2 hours ago
- Sky News
Boy, 16, dies in hit-and-run as man arrested
A 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a teenager was killed in a hit-and-run collision in Sheffield. Emergency services responded shortly after 4.50pm on Wednesday to reports of an accident in Staniforth Road in the Darnall area of the city. South Yorkshire Police said it is understood that a grey Audi drove towards three electric bikes, colliding with one rider. The car continued to travel following the crash with the electric bike and was further involved in a collision with a teenage pedestrian. 1:27 The driver of the Audi failed to stop at the scene. Graphic CCTV footage of the incident appears to show the car veer into the opposite carriageway before hitting the 16-year-old pedestrian at speed. The boy was taken to hospital. Despite emergency treatment, he died as a result of his injuries. The boy's family has been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. An 18-year-old man, who was the rider of the electric bike, remains in hospital with serious injuries which are not thought to be life-threatening. A 20-year-old man in Kent has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody. Three people, a 45-year-old woman and two men aged 26 and 46, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All three remain in custody. Senior Investigating Officer in the case, Detective Chief Inspector Benjamin Wood, said: "This is a tragic incident in which an entirely innocent bystander, who was going about his daily business, has sadly lost his life. Our thoughts are with the boy's loved ones, and we remain focused on securing justice for them. "We know that this incident will have caused concern in the local community, and we have a team of detectives working at pace to piece together the circumstances which unfolded. "We're aware of footage being shared online and I'd like to reiterate our message to the public to withhold from speculating or circulating videos which may cause distress to the boy's family. "If you have any footage, imagery or information that may help our investigation then please share this directly with us - it may form an important part of our enquiries. We are also keen to hear from the riders of two electric bikes who were in the area at the time of the incident."
