A pair of Australian identical twin sisters have gone viral around the globe after they spoke in unison about the horrifying moment their mother faced an alleged gunman.
Bridgette and Paula Powers told Seven News Queensland the alleged gunman threatened to shoot their mother as he emerged from the wreckage of a car crash he is claimed to have caused on the Bruce Highway in the Sunshine Coast suburb of Palmview on Monday.
"And one guy, he was up there with our mum, and he went up there, and he was coming back down towards us," the sisters, who were dressed in identical outfits, said.
"And he goes, 'run, he's got a gun, and our hearts started to pound, and I said, 'Mum, where's mum?'
"And poor mum was stuck up there but apparently our brave mum she goes, 'are you alright?' Because he had all blood all over his face.
Bridgette and Paula finished each other's sentences as they said the alleged gunman told their mother, "I'll shoot you".
"She goes 'Hey, I'm here to help'," they said.
"And mum distracted him to make him look the other way, and he looked the other way, and mum ran into the bush behind the fence.
@7newsq Witnesses are recounting the mayhem that unfolded on the Sunshine Coast. Two sisters have told of how their mother and a man raced to help when the carjacked SUV rolled on Steve Irwin Way, only to find the gun-wielding car thief emerging from the wreck. 7NEWS
♬ original sound - 7NEWS Queensland - 7NEWS Queensland
"And the guy goes to her, 'I'll find you, and I'll shoot you'."
Bridgette and Paula said felt "so blessed" to be physically unharmed along with their mother.
Their interview soon went viral on TikTok and made headlines worldwide, with the twins who founded Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue quickly gaining a fan base.
One Queensland local said Bridgette and Paula are known wildlife rescuers on the Sunshine Coast.
"How they were in the video is how they are in real life, two beautiful, lovely women along with their Mum who does so much for local bird wildlife," they wrote on X.
Another person said Bridgette and Paula often appear on Bondi Vet and "care for all birds, especially injured water birds...they do amazing work."
Bridgette and Paula previously caught the attention of ITV’sGood Morning Britain hosts Piers Morgan andSusanna Reid in 2016.
Speaking synchronously to the hosts, the sisters said their unique ability comes from a lifelong bond of sleeping in twin beds, wearing identical clothes daily, and sharing a single phone.
Detectives on Tuesday charged a 41-year-old Tewantin man with 15 offences in relation to the car crash.
He is expected to appear before the Maroochydore Magistrates Court.
Police will allege a red Porsche Macan caused a six-vehicle crash in the southbound lanes of the Bruce Highway about 12.10pm on Monday.
The 41-year-old Porsche Macan driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle and struck the passenger side of a Nissan Micra.
The driver of the Micra, a 22-year-old Strathpine man, was transported to hospital with minor injuries.
A passenger of the Micra, a 22-year-old Upper Mount Gravatt woman, died of her injuries sustained in the crash.
Police will further allege the offender exited the Porsche and approached a white SsangYong Rexton, whilst armed with a firearm.
The offender allegedly shot the Rexton driver, a 62-year-old Branyan man, in the arm and drove off in the vehicle.
He was transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries.
