Five-year-old boy critically injured after being hit by flying wheel

A five-year-old boy has suffered life-threatening head injuries after he was struck by the flying wheel of a ute allegedly performing a burnout north of Brisbane.

Police are urgently appealing for witnesses or anyone with vision to come forward following the freak incident in Caboolture yesterday afternoon.

The rear passenger side wheel then flung from the ute, hitting the boy who was walking with family along a footpath outside Caboolture Square Shopping Centre.

The child suffered critical head injuries and was taken to Brisbane Children’s Hospital in a serious condition.

“The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating and has issued an urgent appeal for anyone who may have mobile phone footage or dashcam of the incident to come forward,” a Queensland Police statement read.

The alleged driver of the ute, an 18-year-old man, was arrested at the scene.

He has been charged with a string of traffic offences, including dangerous operation of a vehicle causing grievous bodily harm, driving unlicensed, driving unregistered and driving a defective vehicle.

The man is due to appear at Pine Rivers Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.