Best friends in fatal tunnel crash identified

The two young women caught up in Wednesday’s horrific Legacy Way tunnel crash in Brisbane have been identified, with tributes flowing for the close friends.

Lily Galbraith, 24, and Emma McLean, 23, were travelling together in a silver sedan through the tunnel when a black Audi smashed into them about 3pm.

Ms Galbraith — a South Australian nurse who was originally from the Northern Territory — died in the crash, while Ms McLean is still fighting for life in hospital.

The Nurses and Midwives Memorial Page Australia paid tribute to Ms Galbraith on Thursday.

“Rest in peace, Lily. Thank you for your service. Condolences to your family, friends and colleagues,” the post read.

“All the very best for Emma and sending love to her family as they wait to see how her progress is.

“We are also thinking of the bride, groom and any wedding guests also mourning.”

It is understood the pair were on their way to a wedding when they entered the Legacy Way tunnel near Mt Cootha in Brisbane’s west.

Ms McLean underwent emergency surgery at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital for critical injuries on Wednesday evening.

She remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Ms McLean became engaged to her boyfriend Harry just three weeks ago.

She shared a video of the proposal on social media, with the caption: “You and me forever.”

The driver of the Audi has been identified as former police officer Bruce Daley.

He also died in the crash.

Mr Daley, who was medically retired from the Queensland Police Service in December 2014, had posted online about relationship struggles and loneliness over several years.

Asked on Thursday whether Mr Daley’s mental health would form part of the investigation, Detective Acting Inspector Chris Hansel said he didn’t want to “go into specifics”.

“I’m unable to comment on exact scenarios at this stage,” he said.

“As you would appreciate, it is a very complex investigation, a very confronting scene that was experienced by our first responders and members of the public last night.

“It would be again irresponsible for me to nominate a specific scenario without the full investigation having been undertaken.”

After the audi collided with the sedan, police believe the impact then pushed the sedan into a small truck, causing serious injuries to the driver of the truck.

Inspector Hansel said speed would be a “focus” of the investigation, with claims the Audi hit speeds of up to 200km/h before the crash.

The crash struck the eastbound section of the tunnel about 3.10pm on Wednesday, the Queensland Ambulance Service said, leaving traffic banked up as emergency services raced to the scene.

Premier Steven Miles said: “My thoughts are with families of those affected – it’s an awful, awful crash.”

Queensland police Regional Duty Officer Acting Inspector Stephen Crabbe said police were interested to speak to witnesses who could describe the “driving manner” of the Audi in the moments before it allegedly collided with a silver sedan, which then crashed into a truck.

A witness told The Courier-Mail the Audi was being driven at speeds in excess of 200km/h seconds before it collided with the silver sedan.

“I was driving behind the Audi … for some reason (the driver) slowed down and stopped when we entered the tunnel,” they said.

“(The driver) didn’t indicate or put hazards on … I indicated around him and kept going … a few people beeped at him.

“I got back in the left lane but kept looking back to see if he got going again.

“Then I could hear a car engine roaring as he went past me … then 20 seconds later smoke and debris was flying around.”

Inspector Crabbe said police are yet to determine whether speed was a factor in the crash, but that it would form part of the investigation.

He said the crash was “extensive” and spread out for “several hundred metres”.

“The scene was extensive and obviously the tunnel will be assessed for any damage,” he said.

“The scene was over several hundred metres, involving three vehicles and extensive traffic delays were involved.”

Shocking photographs from the scene show the black Audi crumpled against the wall of the tunnel, with the exhaust pipe laying flat on the road.

The Legacy Way Tunnel has reopened on Thursday morning.

Inspector Crabbe said firefighters were required to cut people out of vehicles.

Emergency services also struggled to attend the scene because of congestion at the mouth of the tunnel.

“Fortunately, there were a number of police motorbikes that were able to get to the scene quickly,” he said.

The driver of the truck suffered serious injuries but was expected to survive, he said.

“Forensic crash unit are currently at the scene and are investigating,” he said.

“CCTV footage is being reviewed, anyone who has information is requested to contact police.

“Particularly in relation to the driving manner of the Black Audi.”

The Legacy Way tunnel links the Western Freeway at Toowong in the city’s west with the inner-north.