Hannah Clarke passed away in hospital overnight, having suffered serious injuries as a result of a car fire believed to have been deliberately lit by her husband in a suspected murder-suicide.
The 31-year-old’s three young children Aaliyah, six, Laianah, four, and Trey, three, perished in the fire, while their father Rowan Baxter also died at the scene on Wednesday after allegedly setting his wife’s Kia Sportage SUV alight.
Hannah, who was living with her parents in the suburb of Camp Hill in Brisbane, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition shortly before 8.30am yesterday morning after emergency services were called to reports that a car had gone up in flames on Raven Street.
However Queensland Police issued a statement on Wednesday night confirming that she had sadly succumbed to her injuries at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident and are yet to officially confirm the cause of the blaze, however multiple reports claim witnesses heard a woman screaming “he’s poured petrol on me”.
It has also since emerged that the couple were separated and reportedly going through a custody dispute, while the Courier Mail also reported that the police had previously been called to the Camp Hill property to deal with a family violence incident last month.
Detective Inspector Mark Thompson described the scene as one of the worst he has been faced with as he addressed media at the scene on Wednesday. He said: “At approximately 8.30 this morning emergency services were called in relation to a vehicle that was on fire.
“On arrival police and emergency services have identified five people that were involved in the fire. I can confirm we have three deceased children inside the vehicle under the age of 10, another deceased male who was known to the children.”
A good samaritan who rushed to help the family was also rushed to hospital yesterday morning after suffering non life-threatening facial burns.
A spokesperson for Queensland Ambulance Service said: “From an ambulance perspective we did all we could … We transported two people away from the scene with burns. One gentleman had some facial burning, he wasn’t related to the scene … as far as I’m aware somebody did step in to try and help. He was treated for some minor burns, they’re not life threatening.”
If you are concerned about domestic and family violence in your family, friends or workplace, contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800 737 732, Mensline Australia on 1300 789 978, Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277 or Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 for confidential support, advice and referral that will help you explore your options.