On the Beat

Police have identified a body found near the corner of Dawson and Uralba streets last week as that of 25-year-old German tourist Simone Strobel, who went missing in Lismore on February 11 (for full story see Main News).

A 10-month-old baby escaped serious injury on Sunday afternoon after being trapped under the car his 12-year-old brother was driving. Police are now considering legal action against the boys' parents, who were apparently aware their son was taking the toddler for a drive in the family car. The incident occurred between 3 and 3.50pm on Sunday, when the 12-year-old was driving the 1983 Ford Fairlane along Plains Station Road at Tabulam with a group of young people. The baby was seated on the lap of a young person in the passenger seat. It appears the driver has lost control of the vehicle and hit an embankment, causing the vehicle to roll onto its roof. The toddler was thrown from the window and trapped underneath the car. The group of boys managed to free themselves from the wrecked vehicle and were able to lift the vehicle enough to release the 10-month-old. The group then walked back to Tabulam for help. The small child was taken to Bonalbo Hospital and later transferred to Lismore Base Hospital with a broken leg, as well as bruising and swelling to his head and rib cage. The driver received a small cut to his left foot and was suffering from shock, while another boy sustained cuts and bruises. Richmond Local Area Command acting crime manager Detective Inspector Anne Langford said it was extremely lucky no one was seriously injured and Police were now considering whether to take further action. The driver of the car is too young to be charged, but will receive a formal warning.

A 43-year-old Boggabilla woman was taken to Lismore Base Hospital on Sunday afternoon after rolling her car on the Bruxner Highway. The woman was driving near Schneiders Lane around 3pm on Sunday when she crashed into a grass ditch, causing the car to flip three times before landing on its roof. It appears the driver has crawled from the car. Police praised the passers by who stopped and administered first aid until the ambulance arrived.

A 15 year-old teenager from Wyrallah was caught driving his father's car in Lismore on Sunday night, after Police saw him swerving across the road around 11.20pm. The boy's father had no knowledge of the incident.

A 31-year-old Lismore man was arrested and charged on Sunday night after recording a low range PCA. The man was driving along Conway Street in his 1981 Ford sedan around 9.50pm when Police stopped the vehicle. He produced a reading of 0.065.

Police have arrested and charged a 17-year-old Brisbane man after he allegedly stole money from a business in Magellan Street, Lismore, around 8am on Monday. While the shop assistant was preparing to open the store, the man allegedly came into the shop, opened the till and stole money. The assistant heard a loud noise and saw the man running from the store. She gave chase for a short distance, but returned to the shop to raise the alarm. She provided a detailed description of the young person and as a result Police were able to apprehend him in Woodlark Street a short time later.

Two women aged 24 and 58 were taken to Ballina Hospital after their vehicles collided at the intersection of Coast Road and Headlands Drive on Monday morning. It is alleged one vehicle pulled out from the intersection directly into the path of the other vehicle, which was apparently travelling at 95kph. Police remind motorists to take caution when pulling out into traffic flow.

A 24-year-old man is in a serious but stable condition at Lismore Base Hospital after a single motor vehicle accident on Whian Whian Road, Dunoon, between 5.10 and 5.25pm on Monday. Rescue and ambulance officers extricated the man from the vehicle. Police investigations are continuing.