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Youth crime is back in the spotlight in Queensland with children caught on camera speeding through Brisbane suburbs and sprinting from officers in the state's far north.
Ten children are in custody and at least three more remain on the run after a spate of thefts endangering police, the public and the offenders themselves.
A 15-year-old boy was left for dead after being in the passenger seat of a car on a stolen joyride in Brisbane.
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The teenager driver lost control, the car spinning out and smashing into a pole.
Witnesses say he was "lucky to be alive" after the "horrific" impact.
The Hyundai I30 was ripped to pieces and strewn across Beckett Road.
"The front door of the passenger (side) is down the road at the car's up here," one witness said.
9News understands the teenager was flung out of the passenger door.
He was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital where he remains in a stable condition.
As for his friend behind the wheel, he fled, locals said.
Police believe another car was involved in a suspected street race gone horribly wrong.
"There's been extensive damage. We believe that speed was possibly a factor," Queensland Police Senior Sergeant Leonie Scott said.
The black Hyundai I30 bearing Queensland registration 905HO2 was reported stolen from a Lawton address on Monday, July 1.
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In a separate incident in Townsville, as police closed, nine kids burst out of an allegedly stolen Isuzu and were arrested.
It's understood two of the teens were released on bail for other offences just last Tuesday.
All nine were charged with multiple offences.
Two of them were just 12, with the eldest aged 15.
The Isuzu MUX was reported stolen from a Douglas address on July 5.
They were remanded in custody and are due to appear before Townsville Children's Court tomorrow.
