Taxi driver dies in horror bridge crash

FATAL: The scene of a horror crash on the Story Bridge. Picture: Adam Armstrong Source: The Courier-Mail

A PERSON has died after a horrific head-on collision between a taxi and another car on the Story Bridge in Brisbane, police say.

The “devastating” crash closed the inbound lanes and cut the outbound lanes on the major road artery from 4.45am Friday, with four people taken to hospital.

The age or gender of the person has not been released.

At 8.40am, police said all lanes of the Story Bridge are re-opened after being closed for almost four hours.

Earlier, motorists were told to avoid the Story Bridge during peak-hour after the two-car crash happened about 4.45am Friday.

A Department of Community Safety spokeswoman said a total of four people were taken to hospital.

All lanes on the Story Bridge heading into Brisbane's city are closed after a head on crash.

“In the private vehicle, there was a female driver who was trapped and she had a male passenger,” she said.

“In the taxi, the male driver was trapped and he had a male passenger.”

The people were taken to either the Royal Brisbane Hospital or the Princess Alexandra Hospital, she said.

The ages and injuries of those hurt was not known.

Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Inspector Mark Welsh said firefighters were forced to use cutting equipment to free the occupants from the cars.

FATAL: The scene of a horror crash on the Story Bridge. Picture: Adam Armstrong

“A person was trapped in their vehicle with serious injuries and it took about three-quarters of an hour to remove them,” he said.

He described the scene as “devastation,” with debris strewn across the road.

“It was a serious incident with bits and pieces off both vehicles,” he said.

Earlier, the Australian Traffic Network said drivers were facing “heavy delays” through the area after authorities closed Main Street inbound at River Terrace and Shaftson Avenue at the Main Street exit due to the accident.

“We advise people to take Vulture Street into South Brisbane and then onto Grey Street, instead, or take the Pacific Motorway to the Riverside Expressway,” reporter Jay Lane said.

TRAFFIC: An accident between a taxi and a car closed lanes of the Story Bridge in Brisbane. Picture: Adam Armstrong

The Forensic Crash unit is investigating.

CRASH: The two vehicles involved in the crash on the Story Bridge. Picture: Adam Armstrong

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Police incident on bridge gridlocks CBD

THE police incident that caused traffic havoc in Brisbane?s CBD has been resolved.

Police have advised the Story Bridge lanes that were closed will be reopened shortly.

The Australian Traffic Network said motorists should expect long delays because police have closed the southbound left and centre lanes of the Story Bridge near Fortitude Valley.

“There are massive delays in Fortitude Valley and Bowen Hills. There’s also a lot of traffic at the Shafston Ave entrance of the Clem Jones Tunnel,” senior reporter Jay Lane said.

Directly affected roads in Fortitude Valley and Bowen Hills include:

Ann St inbound

St Pauls Tce inbound

Gipps St

Barry Parade

Brunswick St

Bowen Bridge Rd

Gregory Tce

Police are continuing to urge motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area.

Translink has also advised commuters using bus services with routes across the bridge to expect delays.

For 24-hour help, call Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 224636 or SANE Australia on 1800 18 SANE (7263).

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