A man has been taken into custody after a ‘catastrophic’ crash took the lives of a 30-year-old mother and 10-year-old daughter.
The woman was travelling in a white 2006 Toyota LandCruiser with her two daughters and two sons when their vehicle rolled in the early hours of Friday morning in Doomadgee, 400km north of Mount Isa in western Queensland.
Sadly, the mother died at the scene and her 10-year-old daughter died after being taken to Doomadgee Hospital.
Three remaining children inside the vehicle, all under five years old, were also injured in the devastating crash.
A three-year-old girl is in a critical condition while her one-year-old brother’s conditional stabilised from critical in hospital.
A four-year-old suffered minor injuries.
Acting Superintendent Paul Austin on Sunday confirmed a 28-year-old man had been arrested in relation to the crash.
He had been in a relationship with the mother and was a parent and stepfather to her children.
A mother and daughter were killed in a car crash on Friday (pictured, the car the mother and her children were travelling in)
Police have arrested a man who was in a relationship with the mother (pictured, the car the man was driving, which was seized by police)
The man was travelling in a separate car, a black 2011 Nissan Maxima, at the time of the crash. Both vehicles have been taken to Mount Isa for examination.
No charges have been laid but the man remains in custody with police planning to move him to Townsville.
Superintendent Austin said domestic violence would form part of police’s investigation.
‘We’re looking at everything,’ he said.
‘As you can imagine, it’s certainly a tragic event.
‘The investigation must be methodical and comprehensive.’
Police will also investigate whether speed, alcohol or drug use played a part in the incident.
Superintendent Austin added the crash had been ‘catastrophic’ to the small community.
The mother was travelling with her three children inside a white 2006 Toyota LandCruiser (pictured)
The arrested man has not been charged but remains in custody (pictured, the car the man was driving at the time of the crash)
‘Certainly the grief that’s been experienced as a result of this incident has been extreme,’ he said.
‘We will continue to do whatever we can to support the community through this time.’
Part of that action has included the release of images of the cars in the hopes of witnesses coming forward.
‘What occurred on Friday is nothing short of a tragedy, and our officers are dedicated to thoroughly investigating what has occurred, as well as working with the Doomadgee community,’ Acting Superintendent Austin said.
‘The images of these vehicles are confronting; however, we hope that they can assist our enquiries into this matter and help our officers better understand what has occurred.’
‘We appeal to anyone who may have seen these vehicles in the days or hours before Friday or may have had interactions with their occupants to contact Doomadgee or Mount Isa Police, as well as Crime Stoppers or Policelink.’
