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A 71-year-old woman has tragically d!ed after being struck by a police vehicle in Far North Queensland, with newly surfaced CCTV footage now becoming a key focus of the investigation.

The fatal incident unfolded shortly after 7am Thursday morning at the intersection of Sheridan Street and Lily Street in Cairns North. According to Queensland Police, the woman — believed to be from Trinity Beach — was hit by a police vehicle while crossing near the intersection.

Officers at the scene immediately attempted to provide emergency first aid before paramedics rushed the woman to Cairns Hospital in life-threatening condition. Tragically, she later succumbed to her injuries.

Now, investigators are carefully reviewing CCTV footage captured from a nearby business, which reportedly shows the police four-wheel drive moments before the collision occurred.

The footage allegedly appears to show the police vehicle turning into the intersection before activating emergency lights just moments before the woman was struck off-camera. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the officers were responding to an active emergency call at the time.

According to reports, three officers were believed to be inside the vehicle during the incident. Investigators are now examining several critical questions — including whether the vehicle entered the intersection against traffic signals and what circumstances led up to the collision.

The tragedy immediately triggered major road closures throughout the area.

Lily Street remained shut between Digger Street and Sheridan Street for hours as forensic crash investigators combed through the scene and gathered evidence. Motorists were urged to avoid the area while emergency crews continued their work.

Queensland’s Forensic Crash Unit has now launched a formal investigation into the collision.

Police are also appealing for witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage from the area around the time of the crash to come forward.

The heartbreaking incident has sparked emotional reactions online, with many social media users expressing sympathy for the woman’s family while also demanding answers about exactly how the collision occurred.

Others noted the emotional toll such incidents can also have on emergency personnel involved in traumatic crashes.

As investigators continue reviewing video footage and reconstructing the final moments before impact, many unanswered questions still remain surrounding one of Cairns’ most shocking road tragedies of the year.