REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Thursday April 9, 2009

A FAMILY of four heading off on an Easter trip were in hospital, the victims of a four-car smash on the M1 involving 10 people.

In what was a horror start to the Easter holidays, five people were rushed to Gold Coast and Robina hospitals after the crash near Exit 69 at Nerang at 9.20pm.

The crash shut all four northbound lanes, causing traffic to bank up to at least Robina. It was understood the high-speed smash happened when one of the vehicles ploughed three cars into the highway concrete barriers and off the road.

The family’s car ended up in a ditch off the highway, while the 46-year-old driver of another car was trapped in his vehicle, which was believed to have rolled five times. He was treated in the car by paramedics and then rushed to Gold Coast Hospital in a semiconscious state.

He, and the family involved were not believed to have lifethreatening injuries. At least three of the cars involved were written off.

The Gold Coast’s four onduty ambulances were sent to the accident site. Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Southport station officer Tony Chicco said it was a terrible start to the Easter period.

‘‘No one has died at the scene although casualties were taken to hospital,’’ he said. ‘‘With Easter holidays upon us, it is not a good start. People should stop, revive and survive and stick to the speed limit.’’

Motorist were also bracing for inflated Easter fuel prices with experts warning it may be already be too late to grab a bargain at the bowser before Easter.