Rowan Baxter and his family. Photo / Facebook
The mother of three young children killed in a deliberately-lit horrific car fire in Brisbane has also died of her injuries.
Hannah Baxter, 31, succumbed to her injuries at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital early on Wednesday evening, Queensland Police said.
Hannah Baxter was in a car with her three children, Laianah, 6, Aaliyah, 4, and Trey, 3, around 8.30am on Wednesday when she was reportedly approached by Rowan Baxter, 42 in Raven St in Camp Hill.
Rowan Baxter – her husband with whom she owned a gym – reportedly approached the vehicle, dousing her in petrol before stabbing himself.
Hannah and Rowan Baxter were reportedly undergoing a separation, with Nine News reporting Ms Baxter and her three children had been staying with her parents in Camp Hill.
The Courier Mail reported the couple were in a custody battle over their three children.
Witness Aaron Snell told The Courier Mail Rowan Baxter was in "all manner of states" and jumped into the flaming car to grab a knife while bystanders tried to help.
Rowan Baxter, a member of the 2005 Warriors squad, has been identified as one of the four who died in the minutes following - while Hannah scrambled from the car screaming: "He poured petrol on me."
She was hosed down by neighbours who worked with fire extinguishers and a garden hose to put out the flames.
Mr Snell said the heroic acts were met with anger by Rowan Baxter who was "protesting to stop putting it out".
A neighbour told The Courier-Mail a man who was washing his car when the incident happened rushed over to try to help Hannah Baxter as she jumped out of the car.
"She was awake and conscious and completely aware of what had happened," the neighbour said.
"Skin was peeling off her, and she held her hands up … bits were hanging off. It was really quite horrific."
The three children were found dead inside the vehicle after the car went up in flames.
Baxter, 42, was declared dead at the scene after emergency crews attempted to revive him.
The Courier Mail spoke to a witness who claimed Baxter jumped into his estranged wife's car while she was on the school run, setting it on fire.
Hannah Baxter was taken to hospital with "extensive injuries", police said.
The victims lived in the area.
"On arrival, police and emergency services have identified five people that were involved in the fire inside the vehicle. I can confirm that we have three deceased children under the age of 10 in the vehicle," Detective Inspector Mark Thompson earlier told reporters at the scene.
"We have another deceased adult male who was known to the children, and we also have a victim suffering extensive injuries that are also known to the children and the adult male."
One resident told The Australian that another witness saw a woman, believed to be Ms Baxter, jump from the burning car and yell, "He's poured petrol on me."
He said Ms Baxter was "rolling on the footpath in flames".
Other witnesses said Hannah Baxter, who was wearing activewear, was rolling on the footpath, while "four other explosions" were heard from the car.
Rowan Baxter's recent posts on Facebook all revolve around his children, with him sharing multiple photos of the kids and writing, "Daddy loves you."
One of Baxter's Facebook friends posted on one of his photos, telling him to "chin up".
"Chin up brother everything will work out just hang in there my bro a lot of people care about you and the situation your facing," he wrote.
A New Zealand Warriors spokesman said Baxter was in their NRL squad in 2005.
"Rowan didn't play an NRL match. He was in our full-time NRL squad in 2005. He played in NRL trials," the spokesman said.
Thompson said it was too early to comment on how the fire started.
"How the fire actually occurred has not been ascertained at the moment, so for us to call it a murder-suicide or a tragic accident, it's inappropriate at this stage," he said.
"I've seen some horrific scenes – this is up there with some of the best of them.
"It's a terrible thing to be presented with."
Thompson said the car was "fully emerged in fire" when police arrived on the scene.
"It's a horrific scene. It would be a horrific thing for emergency services, police, fire and ambulances to deal with in the coming days," he said.
Queensland Ambulance Service senior operations supervisor Adrian Tong said two people were taken to hospital with burns.
Hannah Baxter was rushed to hospital with "severe burns to a significant part of her body" after paramedics secured her airway at the scene.
Tong also said another man was injured when he tried to help the family.
"Somebody did step in to try and help that was close by," Tong told reporters at the scene.
"I think he tried his best to get to the car."
As a result the man had to be taken to hospital and treated for minor burns to his upper body and face.
Thompson said the officers who attended the scene were being supported by police human services.
"Our people are well trained. They'll put that behind them in the short-term. And deal with the investigation at hand. And we will make sure that their welfare is looked after into the future," he said.
• He is reported to have been in a custody battle with his wife over their three children. He and his immediate family lived in Brisbane.
• According to his LinkedIn profile, he attended Tauranga Boys College between 1990 and 1995.
• Was named as part of the 2005 New Zealand Warriors squad and played one pre-season fixture against the Parramatta Eels on the wing.
• Played for the New Zealand A rugby league team in 2004 alongside Frank-Paul Nu'uausala.
• He is the brother of former New Zealand Sevens representative Charles Baxter, who also played rugby union for the Bay of Plenty Steamers in the early 2000s.
• Won the Fox Memorial grand final in 2004 with the Mt Albert Lions alongside Anthony Swann, Tony Tuimavave, Vinnie Anderson and Mark Tookey. The side was coached by former Kiwis coach Brian McLennan.
• He had been running a fitness training company with his wife called Integr8 Functional Training and had worked with professional sportspeople such as Brisbane Broncos players Matt Gillett and Sam Thaiday.
His company website says Baxter had "over 20 years of experience in sports and fitness industry, starting off as an NRL player for the NZ Warriors team and then coaching other people."
"As an experienced coach, Rowan has successfully trained many clients with different fitness levels: from beginners, helping them achieve weight loss and improve strength, to working with NRL - Super 15 Rugby & AFL Teams around Australia, introducing them to functional body weight training."
WHERE TO GET HELP:
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
OR IF YOU NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE ELSE:
• 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)
• https://www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline
• YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633
• NEED TO TALK? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)
• KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757 or TEXT 4202
The move comes after Burling and Team New Zealand parted ways earlier this year.