Man charged after fatal carjacking rampage on Sunshine Coast

A man has been charged following a shocking carjacking and crash incident that left a young woman dead and several others seriously injured in a violent rampage on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

The chaos began around 12:10pm on Monday when a 41-year-old man allegedly crashed a red Porsche Macan into multiple vehicles on the southbound lanes of the Bruce Highway near the Aussie World theme park in Palmview.

Tragically, a 22-year-old woman died at the scene, while the 22-year-old male driver of the Porsche was rushed to hospital in critical condition.

According to Queensland Police, the accused then exited the Porsche and approached a white SsangYong Rexton that had stopped to assist. Armed with a gun, he allegedly shot the 62-year-old driver in the arm before stealing the vehicle. The injured man was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital with serious injuries.

The stolen SsangYong was later found overturned near Forestry Road in Landsborough, roughly 10 minutes away from the initial crash site. Authorities say the alleged offender then commandeered a third vehicle, a grey Mazda 3, from a 16-year-old girl who was on a driving lesson with her parents.

The man was ultimately apprehended on Steve Irwin Way in Landsborough. Police recovered a firearm in the Mazda and confirmed he had sustained head and body injuries during the rampage. He remains under police guard in hospital.

On Tuesday, Queensland Police confirmed that the man had been charged with 15 offences, including dangerous driving causing death and armed robbery. He is scheduled to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court.

Three crime scenes have been established – one at Palmview and two in Landsborough – as investigations continue. Police have urged any witnesses to come forward, with hundreds believed to have seen the dramatic and deadly series of events unfold.

“He came around the back of us, and almost cleaned up the back of our car, with our daughter in the back of it,” witness Joshua Strachan told 7NEWS, describing how close his family came to being caught in the chaos.

Authorities say further charges are likely as the investigation progresses.

Images: 9 News / 7 News