Four injured in army truck crash

An army truck believed to be carrying explosives in a defence force convoy has
erupted into a fireball after a crash in Central Queensland.
The army truck was involved in a collision with a B double semi-trailer at about
2.30pm (AEST) on Wednesday.
The Bruce Highway near Bajool, 25km south of Rockhampton, has been closed for a
kilometre on either side of the crash site, police say.
Authorities expect the road to be closed well into the night.
An ambulance spokeswoman said four people were injured in the crash and have been
taken to Rockhampton Hospital for medical treatment.
Two of the injured were soldiers and one was in a serious condition.
The 40-year-old semi-trailer driver suffered serious chest and abdominal injuries
and was airlifted to Rockhampton Hospital.
Paramedics treated a witness for shock.
It's believed the army truck was carrying explosives and was part of a defence force
convoy driving from Brisbane to Townsville for a major military operation.
The convoy left Brisbane at 5am (AEST) on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the defence department warned motorists that convoys of Army light
armoured vehicles, Bushmasters, Land Rovers and Mack trucks would be travelling from
Brisbane to the High Range Training Area near Townsville to participate in Exercise
Hamel.
Another convoy will leave Brisbane early Thursday morning.
Exercise Hamel is the most complex training activity ever undertaken by the
Australian Army and will involve around 6000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen.
Police have asked motorists to be patient.
No diversions are in place and police suggest that motorists delay their journey
through the affected area.
Police say motorists could use an alternative route via Mount Morgan and Calliope
but that will add considerable distance to their trip.
Rockhampton businessman Jason Foss was caught up in the line of traffic caused by
the crash.
"[I was] driving north and I saw this great big plume of smoke up on the road ahead
to the north," he told the ABC.
"It was 30 seconds later, all the traffic slowed down to a stop.
"I can see the smoke rising but it's far enough ahead that I can't see any detail,
but they reckon it'll be shut until about 9pm. That's what I'm being told at the
moment."
State opposition roads spokeswoman Fiona Simpson says a full investigation is needed.
"There are strict controls around the carrying of explosives but I think we need to
know what has actually occurred here," she said.
Comment has been sought from the Queensland roads minister.



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