"Our hearts started to pound": Aussie identical twins go viral with eyewitness account

A pair of identical twins from Queensland have captivated the internet after their dramatic eyewitness account of an alleged carjacking aired on Australian television, showcasing not only the chaos of the event but their uncanny ability to speak in perfect unison.

Paula and Bridgette Powers, known for their wildlife rescue work, became an overnight global sensation following a 90-second segment aired by 7 News Queensland. The viral clip – which has amassed over 14.5 million views on X (formerly Twitter) – featured the sisters recounting a harrowing incident near their Sunshine Coast home, where an SUV rolled on Steve Irwin Way.

Wearing matching blue bunny-patterned shirts and sporting identical hairstyles, the Powers twins recounted the moment their mother and a bystander rushed to help the crash victim – only to discover he was allegedly armed.

“And one guy, he was up there with our mum and he, he went up there and he was coming back down toward us and he goes, ‘Run, he’s got a gun,’” the sisters said in eerie synchronicity. “And oh, our hearts started to pound and I said, ‘Mum, where’s mum?’”

The twins explained how their mother narrowly escaped the suspect, who they say had “blood all over his face” and threatened to shoot her. “Mum distracted him to make him look the other way… and mum ran into the bush behind the fence and the guy goes to her, ‘I’ll find you and I’ll shoot you,’” they recalled.

Despite the terrifying encounter, all three family members escaped unharmed. Authorities have since charged a man with multiple offences, including dangerous driving causing death and two counts of armed robbery.

The sisters are no strangers to the spotlight. In a 2021 ABC News profile, they shared how their passion for wildlife led them to a fateful meeting with the late Steve Irwin, who they said was “quite taken with them” when they were found comforting a sick green sea turtle. The twins later worked at the Australia Zoo and now run their own charity, Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue.

Speaking in unison has always come naturally to them. “Our brains must think alike at the same time,” they told the ABC. “It annoys a lot of people, but changing the way we speak doesn’t feel right to us at all.”

Paula and Bridgette also previously made headlines during a 2016 appearance on Good Morning Britain, charming hosts Piers Morgan and Susannah Reid with their synchronised laughter and responses.

“Sometimes we do feel like just one person, yes, we do,” they said at the time.

Image: X (Formerly Twitter)