SOLDIER CHEATS DEATH IN CRASH
A SOLDIER left fighting for his life after a suspected high- speed crash in Townsville appears to have cheated death.
The soldier, who was thrown from a Holden Commodore that crashed into a concrete lane divider in Saunders St about 3am yesterday, was in a critical condition but his condition improved to stable late yesterday afternoon.
The Commodore was carrying four soldiers when the crash occurred as they drove towards Rail- way Estate. All four men were in their early 20s and were living in Townsville.
Sources told the Townsville Bulletin the soldiers, from the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, had only returned from deployment in Afghanistan on Thursday.
The soldier fighting for his life, who was not the driver, was thrown about 20m from the car when it crashed into the barrier.
Debris was scattered for about 160m along the road and Forensic Crash Unit investigators were still trying to find out the cause of the crash late yesterday. Forensic Crash Unit Senior Constable Sean Donnelly said speed, alcohol or seat belts could not be ruled out as factors in the crash, following initial investigations.
The Commodore was extensively damaged on both ends, after the impact with the barrier caused it to spin around.
Townsville police district duty officer Senior Sergeant Matt Lyons said the crash was a timely reminder for drivers to remain vigilant.
“It’s a miracle that all four haven’t sustained life- threatening injuries given the nature of the speed we believe was involved,” SenSgt Lyons said.
The crash caused peak- hour traffic delays after the street was blocked off for several hours to allow the investigation to get under way.
The driver had been interviewed, but charges were yet to be laid as of late yesterday, although it was expected there would be charges laid at some point.
The crash marked a dramatic end to Road Safety Week and police have asked witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage of the crash to come forward.