MAN DIES AFTER HORROR CRASH
AN ELDERLY man died in front of his wife after crashing through the living room in a block of units for retirees.
Early police investigations suggested that about 2.30pm yesterday the man, 86, suffered a medical episode before accidentally reversing his four- wheel- drive through a wall of one of the units in Bergin Rd, Cranbrook.
Police, paramedics firefighters rushed to and the scene and tried to revive the man, but he died at the scene.
A woman who was inside the unit at the time was taken to hospital with minor injuries after she inhaled smoke from the tyres, which kept spinning after the crash.
Inspector Damien Crosby said it was a tragic accident, with a pre- existing medical condition thought to have been the cause.
“A Jeep Grand Cherokee has reversed at speed and impacted into a residential unit, most tragically, the 86- yearold driver and sole occupant of that vehicle has been pronounced deceased at the scene,” Insp Crosby said. “Preliminary investigations would indicate a pre- existing medical condition may be a causal factor, but the investigation still has to be progressed.
“A woman who was taken away was not involved in the incident or the accident itself … no other person was injured as consequence of the impact.
“It’s an absolute tragedy that the driver has been pronounced deceased at the scene.”
Insp Crosby said there was significant damage to the unit and it was lucky no one else was injured in the crash.
“It’s very lucky. The vehicle did reverse at speed. There is considerable damage to a residential unit and we are very lucky no one else was injured.”
Insp Crosby said the Forensic Crash Unit would be investigating the accident, while Queensland Fire and Emergency Services were yesterday attempting to secure the severely damaged retirement unit.
“The vehicle is in the process of being seized for a mechanical inspection and inquiries are continuing,” he said.
“There is obviously some degree of structural damage and we are still obtaining advice from the fire brigade as to the extent of that damage.”