Multiple people injured in Bruce Highway crash involving US military tank

May 11, 2024

A United States military tank, multiple caravans and a B-double truck have been involved in a seven-vehicle crash on the Bruce Highway south of Rockhampton, injuring several people.

The incident happened late Wednesday morning on the highway near Bajool.

Police said vehicles in the crash included a semi-trailer carrying a US military tank, a flat bed truck carrying two caravans, a B-double truck, three cars and a four-wheel drive towing a caravan.

Three of the vehicles were on fire when police arrived at the scene and the other four were extensively damaged.

Video shows military police and numerous emergency vehicles and personnel at the scene.

Police have revoked an emergency declaration made under the Public Preservation Act and the exclusion zone established earlier has been dissolved.

Motorists are still being urged to avoid the area while the incident is investigated.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the US tank involved was being taken by truck from Gladstone Port to the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area when the crash happened.

"Thankfully there were no fatalities but it was a serious crash," he said.

“There will obviously be an investigation by the relevant authorities … wherever Defence can assist, it will.”

Officer in charge of the North Rockhampton ambulance station Dominique Johnson said six people involved in the crash were taken to hospitals in Rockhampton and Gladstone.

One of the patients taken to Rockhampton was in a serious condition and the other two were stable.

All three people taken to Gladstone Hospital were stable.

"It's extremely fortunate that no one was severely injured here today… given the impact on … the vehicles," Ms Johnson said.

She said there were a range of injuries sustained, including spinal injuries and burns.

The Bruce Highway is closed and there were a number of fires in the area as a result of the crash.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services zone commander Superintendent John Pappas said a significant number of resources were needed to get the situation under control.

"With two semi-trailers involved in the fire, as well as fuel from the various vehicles, it has taken a number of hours to render the area safe," he said.

"The loads of the two semi-trailers were on fire, as well as the trucks themselves, which were carrying several hundred litres of fuel — that's the fuel that has been burning this afternoon.

"It is quite remarkable that the people have survived this impact and fire today."

Superintendent Pappas said crews were also hampered by a lack of water to the location of the crash.

Senior Sergeant Hedy Farrell said forensic officers were investigating, but at this stage the cause of the crash was still unknown.

"This section of road is not known to be a particularly dangerous section," he said.

"But we have had a number of heavy vehicles … one carrying a military tank vehicle and a number of civilian cars in the area at a narrow bridge way."

Diversions are in place for people travelling between Gladstone and Rockhampton.

Freight operator Aurizon has confirmed that a portion of rail line in the area has been closed at the request of emergency services.

The incident comes ahead of Exercise Talisman Sabre, a biennial training event involving Australian and US troops, which is set to begin at Shoalwater Bay in central Queensland on Saturday.