‘Explosion’, seven-vehicle pile-up closes Qld highway
Thick smoke blacks out the sky at Bajool, south of Rockhampton in Queensland, after an incident on Bruce Highway. Photo: Twitter
Four people are in hospital after a multivehicle crash caused a massive explosion in central Queensland.
Police said three vehicles were on fire when they arrived on the scene on the Bruce Highway at Bajool, near Rockhampton, on Wednesday morning.
Another four were extensively damaged, including a B-double truck, a semi-trailer (carrying a military tank), a flat-bed truck carrying two caravans, three cars, and a four-wheel-drive towing a caravan.
Motorists on the scene reported explosions and vehicles on fire, with smoke billowing over the area.
Among those to catch fire were a caravan and some trucks, with Queensland Fire and Emergency saying the blaze had spread to nearby grassland. It was quickly extinguished.
The Queensland Ambulance Service said four people were injured in the crash, one of them critically. Two were in a stable condition and another was in a serious but stable condition later on Wednesday.
In all, six people were taken to hospitals in Rockhampton and Gladstone. QAS said they were suffering a range of injuries, including spinal injuries and burns.
Ambulance and fire trucks respond to the incident on the Bruce Highway at Bajool. Photo: 9News Twitter
Police initially established an exclusion zone taking in the Bruce Highway, McLean Road and Bobs Creek Road.
Those within the exclusion zone were told to remain indoors, or inside their vehicles, until further notice, and to follow the directions of emergency crews. The zone was revoked later in the afternoon.
However, police continued to urge motorists to avoid the area while the incident is investigated.
The exclusion zone includes the Bruce Highway, McLean Road and Bobs Creek Road. Photo: QPS
Diversions were in place for people travelling between Gladstone and Rockhampton.
Freight operator Aurizon said part of the rail line in the area was also closed, at the request of emergency services.
The incident comes just days before Exercise Talisman Sabre, a major defence training event involving Australian and US troops, is due to begin at Shoalwater Bay in central Queensland.
