Brisbane's major transport artery was brought to a complete standstill on New Year's Eve as a group of reckless drivers orchestrated a dangerous blockade to perform stunts and fireworks.
Midnight Mayhem on Major Motorway
The incident unfolded on the Gateway Bridge, a critical piece of infrastructure, starting at approximately 11.50pm on Wednesday. Multiple lanes were blocked by vehicles, described by one frustrated witness online as 'souped-up pimpmobiles', effectively halting all traffic flow on the busy motorway.
Social media footage quickly emerged showing individuals, many wearing hoods and masks, hanging out of car windows while their vehicles engaged in highly dangerous manoeuvres. The chaotic scene was compounded by the setting off of fireworks directly from the cars as they performed doughnuts and other stunts, creating a significant public safety hazard.
Police Response and Driver Escape
The illegal display continued for around 15 minutes before law enforcement could intervene. According to accounts from the scene, the offending motorists fled just moments before police units arrived from multiple directions.
Witnesses suggested the group managed to escape because responding officers found their vehicles impeded by the severe traffic jam the hoons themselves had created. Once the stunt drivers dispersed, traffic was able to slowly resume its flow along the motorway.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Appeal
Queensland Police have launched a full investigation into the incident. They are actively searching for the drivers involved and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Authorities are particularly keen to obtain any dashcam footage from motorists who were present on the bridge during the blockade. They have asked witnesses or those with relevant video evidence to contact them immediately to assist in identifying those responsible.
The online reaction from stranded motorists was one of anger and disbelief. One driver expressed their fury on social media, stating that to truly understand the chaos, 'you had to be there'. The incident has raised serious concerns about public safety and the deliberate disruption of essential transport links.
