Brisbane Tradie Acts Swiftly to Rescue Girl from Alleged Carjacker
A quick-thinking Queensland tradesman has been hailed as a hero after intervening to save a young girl from an alleged carjacker in Brisbane's inner northern suburb of Wilston. The dramatic incident, which unfolded on Thursday afternoon, forced a nearby primary school into lockdown as police launched a search for the suspect.
Alarming Incident on Antill Street
Police were called to Antill Street in Wilston around 3:30 pm on Thursday following reports of an attempted vehicle theft. According to authorities, a man wearing a black hoodie allegedly jumped into a car that had been left running while the eight-year-old girl's father briefly stepped inside his home to drop off an item. The child was alone in the vehicle when the suspect entered.
Tradie's Brave Response to Distress Calls
Local tradesman Wayne Mepham, who was working nearby, heard the girl's frantic cries for help. 'I heard a young girl calling out: "I'm in danger! I'm in danger!"' Mr Mepham recounted to 7News' Sunrise program on Friday. 'So I just dropped everything and ran after them... It was quite traumatic.'
Mr Mepham immediately joined the girl's father in pursuing the alleged carjacker, chasing him into a nearby convenience store before losing sight of him. 'They were pretty shaken up. The young girl was pretty frightened. I just wanted to make sure that they were ok,' he said, describing the emotional aftermath of the incident.
Commendation for the Young Victim's Composure
The tradesman expressed particular admiration for the eight-year-old girl's bravery during the frightening ordeal. 'She was very brave and said the right things at the right time to try and raise the alarm,' Mr Mepham stated. 'Hats off to the people who have taught that young lady to raise that alarm when she felt like she was in trouble. It allowed us to act relatively quickly to at least scare him off.'
School Lockdown and Safety Warnings
Following the incident, St Columba's Primary School, located nearby, implemented a lockdown procedure as a precautionary measure. School principal subsequently sent a letter to parents explaining the situation and issuing important safety reminders.
The letter clarified several key points:
- The child involved was not a student at St Columba's Primary School
- The pursuit of the alleged perpetrator extended through a 7/11 car park and down Days Road
- School authorities immediately implemented lockdown procedures, contacted police, and notified Wilston State School once aware of the situation
The principal's communication included a stark safety warning: 'This is a good reminder not to leave children in your car with the engine running when popping into the front office to drop something off or pick something up. Things can happen very quickly, and as a school, we are a little vulnerable given our location on a busy road.'
Ongoing Police Investigation
Queensland Police confirmed that officers conducted extensive patrols of the area following the incident but were unable to locate the suspect. No injuries were reported during the attempted carjacking, and investigations remain active. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the man's whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers immediately.
The incident has highlighted both the vulnerability of children left unattended in vehicles and the community spirit that can emerge during emergencies, with Mr Mepham's swift action preventing what could have been a far more serious outcome.
