Police allege that on the evening of Saturday October 17 the group had an altercation with local youths at Rainbow Beach Bonny Hills. One of the male tourists was seen driving in the carpark intentionally trying to run people over and colliding with several cars.

On Sunday October 18 at 12.40pm a number of the youths who had their vehicles damaged, were travelling toward Kendall on Kendall Road and saw a vehicle believed to be the same one involved in the previous night’s altercation.

Police said the youths signalled to the driver of the car to pull over. The driver did not pull over, police allege the he feared being involved in a fight. A chase ensued and the driver lost control of the vehicle at the intersection of Batar creek Road and Cobb and Co Road.

The car collided with a tree. Police allege one of the people in the chasing vehicle approached the driver of the car and struck him on the forearm with a machete causing significant injury.

Police said the incident was a case of mistaken identity and the driver was not involved in the altercation at Bonny Hills.

Police and ambulance attended the crash and the driver was transported to hospital for surgery to the injured arm.

Police said they have a suspect over the incidents and detectives are investigating. Detectives are also investigating the four male tourists’ incidents. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.