"Qld reviews foster child's crash death"
- Details
- Category: Child Protection Australia media articles
- Created: Wednesday, 11 April 2012 23:30
- Written by Sydney Morning Herald
Queensland's child safety minister says there will be a full review into the case of a foster child who died when she crashed her carer's car.
Police say they were not chasing the 13-year-old when she crashed a car she had taken from her carer's home into a tree at Redbank Plains on Wednesday night.
The officers were on their way to the home the girl was sharing with foster carers when they spotted her at traffic lights.
They activated their flashing lights and the girl sped through a red light but officers chose not to pursue her, Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers has said.
Child Safety Minister Tracy Davis said the girl was known to authorities and a full review of the case is under way.
On completion it will be reviewed by the Commission for Children and Young People, she said.
The police Ethical Standards Command is also investigating the incident.
Officers were headed to the girl's Collingwood Park home after an emergency call saying the girl had become violent and had taken the car.
Mr Leavers said they spotted the vehicle at an intersection and flashed their red and blue lights.
But they made the decision not to follow her after she ran the red light.
"Police immediately stopped the intercept and got out of their vehicle and discontinued immediately," Mr Leavers told the ABC.
"The 13-year-old has taken a corner and lost control of the car and crashed into a tree and was killed instantly."
Foster Care Queensland executive director Bryan Smith said many people would be affected by the tragedy, including her foster carers, birth parents, and child protection officers involved in her care.
He said the girl's foster carers would be offered counselling. (Source : http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/qld-reviews-foster-childs-crash-death-20120412-1wsu5.html)
