Witnesses have described the harrowing and frantic moments bystanders tried to help two teenagers from a fiery crash over the weekend.
Tragedy struck on Sunday evening when a crash between a 4WD ute and a sedan unleashed a ferocious inferno, claiming the lives of two 17-year-old drivers in Queensland’s Scenic Rim Region.
One of the drivers has been identified as 17-year-old Gold Goast teenager Ben Grahame.
Witnesses at the scene recounted the frantic moments as bystanders bravely attempted to rescue the teenagers engulfed in a “huge fireball.”
Michael Shayne and his son Jack were on their way down Beaudesert-Beenleigh Road, about 15 kilometres northeast of Beaudesert in Birnam, south of Brisbane, when their drive was abruptly disrupted.
The Courier Mail reports Mr Shayne and his son immediately sprang into action as they spotted another woman racing toward the fiery wreckage, pounding on the roof of the blazing car.
“The real hero is that woman that was out there banging on the roof to let him know that she was there,” Mr Shayne said.
He said the pair instinctively rushed towards her and to the sound of a voice amid the flames.
“We bolted. As soon as we got close, we could hear some screams. I ran as fast as I could,” he recounted.
Mr Shayne went on to say he hoped the efforts of himself and the other bystanders conveyed a message to the trapped teenager.
“He looked at us and knew we were there fighting with him. He knew there were people fighting for him,” Mr Shayne shared.
Despite their valiant attempts, the ferocity of the inferno proved insurmountable.
“Hopefully it will give his family a bit of hope, knowing there were people helping him,” he said.
Another witness, still shaken by the traumatic scene, described the horrifying chain of events. They claimed the 4WD attempted to overtake another vehicle on a hill when it impacted the silver sedan.
The witness urgently warned others to retreat moments before the 4WD “exploded”.
The resulting fireball prevented any closer approach to the engulfed vehicles.
The witness revealed the extent of the horror, telling the Courier Mail, “it was a shocking event that I would rather try to forget. It was dark and just a huge fireball.”
The community has rallied together to support the grieving family of Mr Grahame in the days since.
A family friend, Candy Looman, initiated a fundraiser to assist them Mr Grahame’s mother, Colleen.
Ms Looman remembered the vibrant personality of Mr Grahame, describing him as “charismatic, funny, the life of the party and a big softy on the inside.
“Ben is the baby of the family and Colleen’s only son whose adult life hadn’t even really started,” she said on Gofundme.
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As hundreds of donations towards the teenager’s funeral costs poured in, Ms Looman later thanked all of those who donated on social media.
“Totally blown away by the generosity of people. I am so very thankful to each and every one of you that have donated so far,” she wrote.
Queensland Police urge anyone with relevant CCTV or dashcam footage to make contact.
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