A quiet morning at a Bundaberg medical centre turned into a scene of tragedy today when a car ploughed through a shopfront, killing a 63-year-old man and leaving his partner fighting for her life.
Emergency services were scrambled to the Northway Plaza just after 10:00 am following reports that a vehicle had smashed through the building’s entrance, striking multiple people who were sitting in the waiting area.
The deceased man and his 63-year-old partner, both local residents of Bundaberg North, were inside the medical centre when the collision occurred. Paramedics treated the woman at the scene before she was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she remains in a life-threatening condition.
Bundaberg Police Chief Inspector Grant Marcus described the incident as a “tragic” event.
“The car has driven through the front window and collided with some waiting patients,” Inspector Marcus said at the scene. “We are currently trying to ascertain exactly why the car has driven through, especially given that there is a bumper barrier installed there to try to prevent that exact type of occurrence.”
The driver of the vehicle, a 71-year-old woman also from Bundaberg North, was assessed by medical teams at the scene and subsequently transported to hospital. Police have confirmed that she did not sustain any serious physical injuries in the crash.
As the Forensic Crash Unit began its investigation today, focus turned to the circumstances leading up to the impact. Investigators are currently examining several possibilities to explain why the vehicle accelerated into the building.
“It’s still too early to determine whether speed was a primary issue,” Inspector Marcus said. “We are investigating whether there was a mechanical problem with the vehicle at the time, or if the driver simply put their foot on the accelerator instead of the brake.”
While the investigation remains in its early stages, police have moved to reassure the public that there is no evidence to suggest the crash was a deliberate or malicious event.
“At this stage, it does not appear to be a purposeful act,” Inspector Marcus added.
The incident has caused significant distress to the local community, with the Northway Plaza cordoned off for several hours while forensic officers gathered evidence and mapped the trajectory of the vehicle.
Authorities are now appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who holds relevant dashcam footage to come forward to assist with the investigation. Police are urging anyone with information to contact the local police station or Crime Stoppers as the Forensic Crash Unit continues its inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
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