A father-of-three and his young son have died in a horror high speed crash on Australia Day.
A limited edition Holden Commodore sedan and red Mitsubishi Lancer collided at an intersection in the Brisbane suburb of Ransome shortly before 9am on Sunday.
The Holden driver, Chris Vrbesic, 37, from Manly West, died at the scene.
His four-year-old son was rushed to Queensland Children’s Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The driver and sole occupant of the red Mitsubishi, a 29-year-old Birkdale man, has taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The Forensic Crash Unit has launched an investigation, which will include whether speed was a contributing factor.
A shattered friend of Mr Vrbesic struggled to comprehend the tragedy when he visited the scene on Sunday afternoon.
‘The guy was a family man, he helped so many people, he had such a big f**king heart,’ he told the Courier Mail.
Chris Vrbesic and his four-year-old son died in a two car crash at a Ransome intersection on Sunday
A limited edition Holden Commodore sedan and red Mitsubishi Lancer collided at an intersection in the Brisbane suburb of Ransome
‘I think you’re going to find this will be one of those tragedies … thousands of people it is going to affect.’
‘I just can’t understand how something like this has happened. It just doesn’t make sense.’
An automotive enthusiast, Vrbesic was a project manager for Innate Developments, which specialises in residential and commercial construction.
Vrbesic was a regular patron of car and motorcycle enthusiasts gathering spot Joe’s Diner, which responded to the much-loved regular’s death with a statement.
‘Our condolences go out to all involved. Absolutely tragic,’ Joe’s Diner said.
‘Chris was a top guy and now a father and son are gone way too soon. Thoughts are with the family.’
Tributes have flowed online with a particularly eloquent one being penned by Robert Dolley on Facebook.
‘My deepest condolences to the family and friends,’ Mr Dolley wrote.
Mr Vrbesic’s limited edition Holden Commodore sedan ended up in a ditch on its side
Mr Vrbesic has been remembered as a family man with ‘a big heart’ who helped many people
‘I don’t think there’s a single person in the car community who isn’t feeling something about what happened today at that intersection. A dad out for a good day with his son going to a car show no doubt and now won’t go home.
‘Somewhere that poor family tonight won’t be tucking in their little boy and that rips the heart out of your chest thinking that poor dad just wanted to have a good day out with his boy.
‘It’s small, but the only thing you can take from it was they were together. RIP up there guys.’
Photos from the scene showed the blue Holden completely destroyed and flipped on its side in a ditch.
The red Mitsubishi suffered substantial damage to its front while the road was covered in debris.
It’s understood the cars T-boned at the intersection.
Witnesses recalled seeing emergency responders frantically performing CPR on Mr Vrbesic as his son was pulled from the wreckage.
Another said it was the first fatal crash she’d seen at the intersection in more than 30 years.
Police have urged witnesses or anyone with relevant CCTV or dashcam to come forward.
