A family of five has been torn apart after a father and his two young children were killed in a head-on crash on a Queensland highway.
Shaun Ranger, 37, and his two children, Baylee, 7, and Chandler, 6, died in the horrific crash on the Capricorn Hwy, between Comet and Blackwater in the state’s Central Highlands, just before 11 am on Sunday.
A Camping Trip Turns to Tragedy
The trio, along with another man, were travelling in a Holden Commodore towards Blackwater when the car struck a Toyota Hilux ute driving in the opposite direction.
It’s understood the family were returning home from a camping trip, and Ranger’s fiancé, Renee Carla, was travelling in another car behind.
A Young Mother Left to Grieve
Carla has now been left a single mother to the pair’s youngest daughter, Saphora, 2.
Friends of the family have described Baylee as a bright and cheerful girl who loved horses, while Chandler was a sweet and kind-hearted little boy who enjoyed the outdoors.
Shaun Ranger was a dedicated and selfless father, supportive friend, and loving partner, according to a friend who set up a fundraiser for the family.
A Devastating Crash with Multiple Victims
The other man inside the Holden was also killed, while two men inside the ute were taken to hospital.
A 28-year-old man is in a serious but stable condition, while a 27-year-old man was airlifted to Brisbane and is fighting for life.
Police Investigation Underway
The Capricorn Hwy was closed in both directions for several hours while police remained at the scene.
Inspector Ben Wiltshire said the crash was “high-speed” but that the exact circumstances were still being investigated.
Wiltshire said the injuries the victims sustained were “horrific” and that a complex investigation would take place before any decisions about charges were made.
A Weekend of Tragedy on Queensland’s Roads
Eleven people were killed on Queensland’s roads over the weekend, including three teens who crashed into another car while trying to overtake a semi-trailer in Mackay on Friday night.
Police are urging motorists to drive to the conditions and avoid distractions, saying a split-second decision could be a matter of life or death.