Police are investigating claims a car hit speeds of up to 200km/h before a horror double fatal crash in Brisbane’s Legacy Way Tunnel, with a third person still fighting for life in hospital.
The shocking three-car crash struck the eastbound section of the tunnel about 3.10pm on Wednesday, the Queensland Ambulance Service said, leaving traffic banked up as emergency services raced to the scene.
Former police officer Bruce Daley has since been identified as the male driver of a black Audi who was killed in the crash, the Courier Mail reports.
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READ NOWA female sedan passenger aged in her 20s also died a the scene.
The female sedan driver has undergone emergency surgery at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital for critical injuries.
Queensland police Regional Duty Officer Acting Inspector Stephen Crabbe said police were interested to speak to witnesses who could describe the “driving manner” of the black Audi S3 in the moments before it allegedly collided with a silver sedan, which then crashed into a truck.
A witness told The Courier-Mail the Audi was being driven at speeds in excess of 200km/h seconds before it collided with the silver sedan.
“I was driving behind the Audi … for some reason (the driver) slowed down and stopped when we entered the tunnel,” they said.
“(The driver) didn’t indicate or put hazards on … I indicated around him and kept going … a few people beeped at him.
“I got back in the left lane but kept looking back to see if he got going again.
“Then I could hear a car engine roaring as he went past me … then 20 seconds later smoke and debris was flying around.”
Inspector Crabbe said police are yet to determine whether speed was a factor in the crash, but that it would form part of the investigation.
He said the crash was “extensive” and spread out for “several hundred metres”.
“The scene was extensive and obviously the tunnel will be assessed for any damage,” he said.
“The scene was over several hundred metres, involving three vehicles and extensive traffic delays were involved.”
Shocking photographs from the scene show the black Audi crumpled against the wall of the tunnel, with the exhaust pipe laying flat on the road.
The Legacy Way Tunnel has reopened on Thursday morning.
Inspector Crabbe said firefighters were required to cut people out of vehicles.
Emergency services also struggled to attend the scene because of congestion at the mouth of the tunnel.
“Fortunately, there were a number of police motorbikes that were able to get to the scene quickly,” he said.
The driver of the truck suffered serious injuries but was expected to survive, he said.
“Forensic crash unit are currently at the scene and are investigating,” he said.
“CCTV footage is being reviewed, anyone who has information is requested to contact police.
“Particularly in relation to the driving manner of the Black Audi.”
The Legacy Way tunnel links the Western Freeway at Toowong in the city’s east with the inner-north.