Police have arrested a man and asked for motorists’ patience as they process and clear three crime scenes on the Sunshine Coast.
Police have arrested a man and asked for motorists’ patience as they process and clear three crime scenes on the Sunshine Coast.
- Updated
- National
- Queensland
- Traffic
By Catherine Strohfeldt
April 21, 2025 — 2.01pm
A woman has died, a man has been shot and an alleged gunman has been arrested following two carjackings and a spate of crashes on the Sunshine Coast on Monday afternoon.
Shortly after 12pm, police received reports that a red Porsche Macan crashed on the highway in Palmview, opposite the Sunshine Coast theme park Aussie World.
The crash caused a multi-vehicle pile-up, with a woman declared dead at the scene.
Eyewitnesses reported the Porsche was driving erratically immediately before the crash, in heavy traffic at the end of the Easter long weekend.
Police Chief Inspector Jason Overland described the scene as “just terrible”, appearing emotional as he spoke with the media on Monday afternoon.
“It’s resulted in the death of a young girl,” he said, offering whatever answers he could on the incidents.
“I’ve given up trying to work out why [the driver did what he did], it’s just a tragedy, and we’re doing all we can to address what’s left.”
Police allege the man who crashed the Porsche left the vehicle armed with a gun and stole a white SsangYong Rexton, after shooting the driver in the arm.
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The man was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a serious condition.
The accused drove away in the SsangYong, which was later found overturned on Steve Irwin Way in Landsborough.
The man is alleged to have then stolen another vehicle – a grey Mazda 3 – before being arrested nearby.
Overland said the Mazda was being driven by “a young driver, with mum and dad, doing some driver training” when the alleged gunman approached.
“I can’t imagine having a firearm presented and being told to get out of the vehicle wouldn’t have some impact, but, as I understand, the firearm was not discharged,” Overland said.
Police recovered the gun in the Mazda after the driver was arrested.
Officers established three crime scenes at the two crash sites and location of arrest, and closed sections of the Bruce Highway.
Overland said there had been no police pursuit, and officers were speaking to witnesses.
“I’ve asked for members of the public to be patient while we process the crime scenes and take whatever actions we need to, to work out what happened,” he said.
“It will take as long as it takes.”
The Department of Transport and Main Roads advised motorists all southbound lanes on the highway were closed, and delays were expected.
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Catherine Strohfeldt is a reporter at Brisbane Times.Connect via Twitter or email.
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