Concerns Raised Over Road Safety After Child Hit Outside Stafford Heights Baptist Church

A young girl was struck by a car outside Stafford Heights Baptist Church while crossing the road with her family, leaving the tight-knit community shaken. The 11-year-old suffered facial injuries in the incident, which took place on Appleby Road in Stafford Heights as the family was heading to their Sunday service.



Incident Details and Emergency Response

The accident occurred at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, 9 February, when the girl’s hand slipped from her father’s grip just before she was hit by a slow-moving vehicle. Her father, T Sui Dun, said the family was going to the church when the incident happened. Witnesses immediately called for an ambulance, and paramedics treated the child for scars and grazes on her right jaw before transporting her to Queensland Children’s Hospital in stable condition.

QAS brings girl to hospital after she was struck by a car at the Stafford Heights Baptist Church
For illustration purposes only
Photo Credit: QAS

According to witnesses, the vehicle’s driver remained at the scene briefly but left before emergency services arrived, leaving a contact number with bystanders. Queensland Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the crash.

The accident occurred in front of fellow churchgoers, including Pastor Cungbik Kingbawl—also known as KB—who said the congregation was rallying around the family. The church serves Chin people from Myanmar and a Sudanese congregation and has been a long-standing support system for refugee and migrant families in the area. Pastor Kingbawl emphasised that the church community offers prayers and assistance to the affected family during their recovery.

A Close-Knit Multicultural Community

Stafford Heights Baptist Church has served diverse communities since 2006, when it welcomed new families, including refugees, into its congregation. The accident has reinforced the church’s role as a pillar of support for the Chin and Sudanese communities in Brisbane’s north, with members coming together to check in on the family’s well-being.



As the investigation continues, residents express concerns about road safety near the church, particularly for families crossing Appleby Road on their way to Sunday services. Community members have suggested reviewing pedestrian safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Published 12-February-2025

Kedron Fire Declared Crime Scene as Police Confirm Arson

A massive industrial fire in Kedron that sent thick black smoke billowing across the city has now been determined to be the result of criminal activity. Authorities have declared the site a crime scene, launching a full investigation into the cause of the blaze that saw emergency crews battle the flames for hours.



The fire broke out in the afternoon of 30 January at a commercial site and quickly spread to three nearby industrial sheds. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) received the call just after 4:00 p.m., prompting a large-scale response. 

By 4:30 p.m., police issued an emergency declaration, setting up an exclusion zone encompassing Gympie Road, Childers Street, Bristol Road, and Kate Street. Residents were urged to remain indoors, shut their windows, and take precautions against the smoke, which was visible for kilometres.

Firefighter Injured as Crews Battle Intense Flames

As the fire intensified, additional resources were deployed. Firefighters used both foam and water to douse the flames from multiple angles. Despite their efforts, one firefighter suffered from heat exhaustion and was transported to hospital at 6:15 p.m.

By 6:40 p.m., police partially reopened Gympie Road, which had been fully closed earlier in the evening. The emergency declaration remained in place until 8:20 p.m., when the fire was finally under control. However, the area was formally declared a crime scene, with authorities confirming that the fire was deliberately lit and that investigations were now underway.

Police Confirm Fire Was Deliberately Lit

Queensland Police confirmed that forensic teams are now assessing the site to determine how the fire started and who may be responsible. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward, as detectives work to uncover the circumstances surrounding the blaze.

Nearby residents described the scene as “unreal,” with flames lighting up the sky and thick smoke reducing visibility. Witnesses also reported hearing loud bangs before the fire rapidly intensified, raising further questions about how the blaze started.

Local businesses in Kedron have expressed concern over the incident, with some reporting minor damage due to the intense heat and embers carried by the wind.



Fire crews remained on site overnight to ensure no flare-ups occurred, and authorities continue to urge the public to stay clear of the scene as investigations progress.

Published 31-January-2025