A community north of Brisbane is coming to terms with their grief after a three-car crash killed two women and a teenage girl on Sunday as police investigations into the incident continue.
Michale Chandler, 29, and Kelsie Davies, 17, were rear ended on Saltwater Creek Road in Maryborough at 10:45pm Sunday night, causing their car to veer into the path of an oncoming Mazda.
The driver of the Mazda, 52-year-old Sheree Robertson, died at the scene.
A 23-year-old woman, another passenger in Ms Chandler's car, was flown to the Royal Brisbane and Women's hospital in a critical condition.
The third car involved in the incident was an allegedly stolen Mercedes driven by a 13-year-old boy who suffered minor injuries.
He was charged with three counts of dangerous driving resulting in death, and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
'Generous, humble, kind'
Michale Chandler was a youth pastor at a local church. Her husband, Matthew Chandler, posted a message to his Facebook page, mourning the loss of his wife.
"It is with the utmost heavy heart that we say goodbye for now to our darling Michale Chandler, you were and will continue to hold the world's greatest wife and mum award! Until we meet in heaven my Queen. Love you to the moon and back."
The post was met with hundreds of comments from friends offering their condolences.
On Instagram, several of Ms Davies' followers left comments in her memory.
"RIP angel. Life is so unfair, wish you the best, going to miss seeing your face around and bringing a smile to everyone's face," one said.
"You painted the sky pink tonight, the world will miss you down here with us," another wrote.
A mentor and a 'light'
Ms Robertson's colleague, Hervey Bay nurse Caitlyn Brown, yesterday laid flowers at the crash site with a note.
"RIP. You were loved and respected beyond measure by us all on WS. Love always," it read.
Ms Brown said the team were devastated by Ms Robertson's loss.
"It was very difficult going into work this morning," she said yesterday.
Ms Brown said the 52-year-old was a mentor to her and younger nurses at the Maryborough Hospital.
"She was a light on the ward," she said.
"She was loud and boisterous and such a fun-loving character.
"She just knew how to handle patients with such affection and such fun and still keep things alive, and for graduate registered nurse like myself, she was just so supportive of taking us on and showing us the ropes in a really kind and friendly manner.
"She's definitely going to be missed."
'Just so hard to take'
The parents of Matthew Field, who was killed along with his pregnant partner Kate Leadbetter on Australia Day 2021 after being struck by a stolen vehicle, say Sunday's fatalities should never have happened.
Russell and Ann Field told Channel Seven these sorts of tragedies would impact families and first responders forever.
"... our family and all the other people involved, first responders and witnesses, they will remember that forever, until the day they die. That's the disappointing part about it," Ms Field said.
"We are the ones that have the sentence for life and it is just so hard to take, it is just really hard."
