Tragedy in Wynnum: 14-Year-Old Boy Killed in School Zone Crash Involving Learner Driver
Wynnum, QLD – July 16, 2025 — A routine morning in this Brisbane suburb ended in heartbreak when a 14-year-old boy lost his life in a devastating traffic incident during the first day of Term Three.
🕗 What Happened
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Around 8:20 a.m., emergency services were called to the intersection of Berrima Street and Tingal Road, approximately 1–1.5 km from Wynnum State High School. A Mitsubishi Pajero driven by a 17-year-old learner driver struck the boy as he was crossing the road at a roundabout
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The student, a Year 9 pupil, tragically died at the scene despite rapid efforts from paramedics
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The young driver and his two passengers—a 41-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy—were unharmed
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After the collision, the Pajero became lodged beneath the low-clearance “Duck Bridge,” a notorious local rail bridge with just 1.9 m clearance
💔 Community in Shock
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Principal Sandra Quinn of Wynnum State High expressed profound sorrow, remembering the victim as a “much‑loved Year 9 boy” and extending condolences to his grieving family and friends The school is offering counseling and support, aiming to help students and staff cope with the immense trauma of their first week back at school
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Local residents and commuters also bear the emotional weight, especially given the accident’s proximity to the “Duck Bridge”—a site already linked to past traffic disruptions in 2025
👮♂️ Investigation and Road Safety
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Queensland Police have launched a full investigation into the crash, appealing for witnesses, CCTV, or dashcam footage from the vicinity
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Traffic was diverted during the morning response while forensic teams collected evidence .
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Authorities and residents are once again questioning safety measures around the bridge and nearby intersections, pressing for enhanced road design, signage, and traffic calming.
🕯️ In Memoriam
This young child’s death is a profound loss for Wynnum—especially poignant at the start of a new school term. As the community mourns, the focus now shifts to preventing such tragedies in the future through improved safety infrastructure and heightened awareness around learner-driver zones.
My thoughts are with the family, classmates, teachers, and all those affected by this loss. If you’d like updates on the investigation, school safety measures, or similar cases, I’m here to help.