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Two interstate best friends and a former police officer have been identified as the victims of a double fatal crash in a Brisbane tunnel.
Emma McLean, 23, from South Australia, and Lily Galbraith, 24, from the Northern Territory, are believed to have been on their way to a wedding when they entered the Legacy Way Tunnel at Mount Coot – yesterday afternoon.
The silver Mazda they were driving was hit by a black Audi, which then crashed into a small truck.
Galbraith, believed to be a nurse working at the private Flinders Hospital in Adelaide, died in the crash.
McLean, who was engaged and planning her own wedding, was left fighting for her life in hospital after undergoing surgery overnight.
The driver of the Audi, 56-year-old former police officer Bruce Daly, was also killed.
Daley served as an acting sergeant major and it is unclear when or why he left the force.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Screener paid his respects.
“I just want to say to those people and families who have been affected by this tragedy, the hearts of everyone in Brisbane go out to you,” he said.
Acting Detective Inspector Chris Henzel said the crash was a “tragedy”.
“Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy and we continue to urge drivers to be patient,” he told a news conference today.
Hansel said police have obtained footage from inside the tunnel and are investigating all vehicles involved.
“Obviously speed is seen as a contributing factor,” he said.
Witnesses reported online that they saw the Audi driving at more than 200 km/h.
Hansel said the crash was difficult for first responders, who worked at the scene for hours before the tunnel was reopened.
“It’s a confrontation personally, it’s a confrontation professionally,” he said.
Queensland’s road toll has risen to 99 lives lost this year, prompting warnings to drivers across the state ahead of the long weekend.
“Be alert, be patient, be aware of your surroundings,” Hansel said.
“As the long weekend approaches, we will have a lot of traffic on our roads.”
Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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