Woorabinda, Queensland: Toddlers’ mothers were five hours away when they died in an unused car
The mothers of two little boys who died after being trapped in a disused car had been traveling for about five hours at the time of the crash.
Relatives found a two-year-old child in the car in the backyard of a house in Woorabinda, southwest of Rockhampton, about 6.30pm on Friday.
They called paramedics to take him to the hospital, but he could not be revived.
Nearly three hours later, around 9:15 p.m., police inspected the car and found a three-year-old child in the rear footwell. He was rushed to hospital but was also pronounced dead.
The youngest boy was from Cherbourg, about 500km south-east of Woorabinda, but was visiting relatives in the remote town with his father.
It is understood the boys’ mothers were in Cherbourg when their son’s bodies were pulled from the vehicle.
The close-knit community has suffered 10 deaths in the past two months, four of which occurred between Friday and Monday.
Miriam Kemp, 19, died in a car accident around 3 a.m. Saturday. Her family lives in Woorabinda
Woorabinda is a small Indigenous community in Central Queensland, 170 km southwest of Rockhampton
About 3 a.m. Saturday, six hours after the toddlers were found, 19-year-old Miriam Grace Kemp died when her car crashed into a tree.
The accident happened in Kawana, but her family lives in Woorabinda, about two hours southwest of where she died.
Miriam was behind the wheel of a Holden Berlina with her 17-year-old friend when the vehicle crashed.
The pair got out of the car and called an ambulance, but Miriam died from her injuries before they arrived.
Her friend was taken to Rockhampton Hospital but has since been discharged.
On Monday, much-loved community member Kathryn Williams, who worked at Wadja Wadja High School in Woorabinda, died in hospital.
Locals said she lost consciousness last week and showed signs of life in hospital on Saturday, but unfortunately she died two days later.
A loved one wrote on social media: “We all love you Kathryn Williams, make sure you come visit us every now and then because I know I will visit you every day if I can.”
“(We’d) grow old together, (I don’t know) who else I’ll yarn with.”
Grieving family of older boy who died after being trapped in car paid tribute by collecting his favorite items
Two boys, aged three and two, died after being left in a car in Woorabinda (above), a small indigenous community west of Rockhampton
As most Woorabinda residents mourn, Detective Acting Inspector Luke Peachey said four young members of the community allegedly overpowered a 60-year-old teacher and stole his white Kia on Saturday.
They allegedly drove it to Rockhampton and around the Capricorn Coast, committing property crimes at several pubs in the area and stealing ‘a quantity of alcohol’.
“We are working very closely with (the toddlers’) families through this tragic event and we will continue to do so,” Peachey said.
‘Most people are in mourning and so it is really disappointing that four residents have taken it upon themselves to steal a car and commit further offences.
“Most good people in Woorabinda are truly disgusted by the behavior of these four residents and that is why we are now asking for help so that we can locate these people and bring them to justice for their crimes.”
He said the alleged attackers had been spotted in public a number of times but had not yet been arrested.