Three people, including a 44-year-old mother and her 12-year-old daughter, died in a head-on collision on Queensland’s Bunya Highway after 10 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2026.
At a Glance
- A Ford Ranger and a Dodge Ram collided head-on at highway speed
- The Ranger’s driver, her 12-year-old passenger, and the Ram’s 34-year-old driver were killed
- A 13-year-old girl survived with serious injuries and was airlifted to Queensland Children’s Hospital
- Why it matters: The crash closed the major rural route overnight and has devastated the tight-knit South Burnett community
The impact ignited the Dodge Ram, which was towing a trailer southbound, and left what police called a “large scene” across the 100 km/h zone. First responders arrived to find the Ram engulfed in flames and worked to contain the fire to improve survival chances, South Burnett Patrol Group Inspector Scott Stahlhut told ABC.
Victims and Survivors
Queensland Police confirmed the deceased in a news release:
- Ford Ranger driver: 44-year-old mother
- Ranger passenger: her 12-year-old daughter
- Dodge Ram driver: 34-year-old man traveling alone
The woman’s 13-year-old daughter, also in the Ranger, was transported to Kingaroy Hospital in serious but stable condition before being airlifted to Queensland Children’s Hospital.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have not determined what caused the head-on crash. Inspector Stahlhut said the vehicles collided “at speed” in the 100 km/h zone. The Bunya Highway was closed overnight while forensic teams mapped the site; it reopened the following day.
“We are a relatively small, tight-knit area, most people know each other,” Inspector Stahlhut told ABC. “The impacts are quite catastrophic for the families involved.”
Community Reaction
Local residents woke Tuesday to news of the tragedy. Police urged motorists to avoid the area Monday night as emergency crews worked under floodlights. Diversions remained in place until investigators cleared the wreckage and gathered evidence.
The fatal crash is the latest in a string of regional road tragedies across Queensland this summer. Rural routes like the Bunya Highway, which links farming towns to major centers, carry heavy freight and tourist traffic, increasing collision risks at high speeds.
What Happens Next
Queensland Police said “no further information is available at this time” as the forensic crash unit continues its examination. Anyone who witnessed the collision or has dash-cam footage is asked to contact Policelink.
Key Takeaways
- Three dead, one hospitalized after fiery head-on crash on Bunya Highway
- Victims include a mother and her young daughter; the Ram driver also died
- Cause unknown; speed and fire complicated rescue efforts
- Highway reopened after overnight closure; community reels from loss
