QLD:Qld toll rises with death of unborn child

AAP General News (Australia)
04-26-2011
QLD:Qld toll rises with death of unborn child

By Darren Cartwright and Chris Hutton

BRISBANE, April 26 AAP - Wet weather is hampering Queenslanders returning from a five-day
break in which the state took the unwelcome honour of having the highest road toll in
Australia.

Six people were killed with police confirming on Tuesday that an unborn child was the
latest victim.

The death occurred after a utility and three cars collided on the Bruce Highway near
Tiaro, south of Maryborough, about 2.20pm (AEST) on Monday.

The child's mother, 23 weeks' pregnant, was travelling on one of the cars.

Police say an unborn child is included in the road toll if the mother is more than
20 weeks' pregnant.

The 33-year-old mother is recovering in the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, while
a young boy who was travelling with her is in a serious but stable condition in the Mater
Children's Hospital.

A 38-year-old woman in the ute also died in the crash.

Acting Superintendent Craig Hanlon said he was unsure of the cause of any of the weekend's
fatal accidents.

In contrast with the high death count, police caught fewer drivers for speeding and
drink-driving this year than in the 2010 Easter period, he said.

"It (the death toll) is significant," Mr Conlon said.

"This year we've had six (deaths) and last year we had two, so it is concerning for police.

"We told everyone we'd be out there on the road in force, and we are out there in force
and it's tragic to see six lives lost.

"We've detected in excess of 14,500 people speeding, and I think that's down by about
800 or so from last year.

"We've taken in excess of of 91,500 breath tests and detected 427, and that's less
than last year."

Police impounded 85 vehicles during their Easter road safety campaign and there were
13 people caught driving under the influence of drugs compared to seven last year.

(EDS: AAP's long weekend road toll figures are for the period 0001 April 21 to 2359
April 26. The official police Easter road toll ends at 2359 Monday April 25 and does not
include the extra public holiday on Tuesday for Anzac Day.)



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KEYWORD: TOLL QLD WRAP

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