Queensland man charged with murder after allegedly beating elderly pedestrian to death with pole

Bundaberg man, 36, allegedly drove into and assaulted multiple people in Childers and North Isis on Wednesday

A man has been charged with murder after allegedly beating a 78-year-old pedestrian to death with a metal pole during a violent and random rampage that also injured two other men.

A 36-year-old Bundaberg West man was charged with murder and attempted murder after allegedly driving into and assaulting multiple people near Bundaberg in Queensland on Wednesday afternoon.

The alleged crime spree began about 1.45pm after the man allegedly deliberately reversed his silver Subaru Liberty sedan into a Tesla on the Bruce Highway in Glenorchy before verbally abusing the driver and driving off.

Shortly after in nearby Childers, the man allegedly reversed his car into a Mitsubishi Pajero, with the 65-year-old driver quickly getting out of his car to inspect the damage.

Police allege the Subaru driver then reversed his car into the Pajero driver, got out of his car and punched him multiple times in the head before fleeing.

The 65-year-old was taken to hospital with serious head injuries.

A few minutes later, at 2.38pm, the Subaru driver stopped again and allegedly attacked a 78-year-old man walking along Whitebridge Road in North Isis.

The driver allegedly punched the older man in the head before hitting him with a metal pole and fleeing the scene again.

The pedestrian was left with critical injuries and died at the scene.

At 2.53pm, the 36-year-old then allegedly assaulted another person, a 66-year-old man, in Childers before members of the public stepped in to restrain him.

Officers arrested the man a short time later.

The 66-year-old was taken to hospital with neck injuries.

“The victims in all these matters are not believed to be known to the 36-year-old man,” Queensland police said in a statement.

The 36-year-old man was charged with one count each of murder, attempted murder, acts intended to maim/disfigure/disable, dangerous operation of a vehicle and evasion on Thursday morning.

He was due to appear at Gladstone Magistrates Court via video link on Thursday.