Boy, 5, among five people severely burnt in Qld boat explosion
UPDATE 12PM | FIVE people, including a small child, have been severely burnt in an explosion on a boat off South Stradbroke Island.
It is understood the vessel – reported to be a 16ft speedboat – was close to shore when it burst into flames near Tipplers around 10am.
The Queensland Ambulance Service confirmed five people suffered significant burns in the blast.
Rescue 500 landing at Tipplers to airlift the most severe patients off the Island PHOTO: Supplied / Mel Westra
Multiple helicopters were dispatched to the island to airlift the severely injured to hospital, including the Rescue 500 and RACQ CareFlight choppers.
A QAS spokesperson said a five-year-old boy was airlifted to the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, and a man and a 20-year-old woman were both flown to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
A 26-year-old woman was transported to Royal Brisbane, while the fifth patient, a 19-year-old woman was taken to the University Hospital on the Gold Coast.
Triage centre set up to treat patients at Biggera Waters PHOTO: Supplied / Gage Cameron
A triage centre was set up near the Grand Hotel in Biggera Waters where the less severely injured were ferried to by boat.
Paramedics said all five victims had suffered “significant burns”.
It is not yet clear what sparked the explosion.
EMQ helicopter left with one patient @RACQ_LifeFlight lands to transport 2nd victim from Sth Stradbroke boat fire! #RACQ pic.twitter.com/91s0g4dQ4c
— RACQ (@RACQOfficial) October 30, 2016
UPDATE: Second rescue helicopter on scene following explosion on boat near Tipplers Beach, South Stradbroke Island. #9News pic.twitter.com/j0ndXA5j7u
— Nine News Gold Coast (@9NewsGoldCoast) October 30, 2016
UPDATE: Two of the patients injured off South Stradbroke Island being airlifted to hospital in Recue 500 helicopter. #9News pic.twitter.com/Xrph4a5eun
— Nine News Gold Coast (@9NewsGoldCoast) October 30, 2016
MORE TO COME …
EARLIER: RESCUE helicopters have been dispatched to South Stradbroke Island to airlift four people to hospital following after the boat they were on exploded into flames.
The boat reportedly burst into flames near Tipplers around 10am. Paramedics are on the scene treating five people for burns, including a small child.
MORE TO COME …
