Police never needed to attend Wieambilla, families say

Constable Matthew Arnold's mother Sue said the families have critical unanswered questions. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

The families of two police officers killed at a remote Queensland property say there was never any need for police to attend a request that turned into a deadly ambush.

Constables Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29, were among six people shot dead at a remote property at Wieambilla west of Brisbane on December 12, 2022.

The officers had attended the property to obtain information about former primary school principal Nathaniel Train's whereabouts in response to a missing persons request from NSW Police, and also to arrest him for firearms offences in Queensland.

Speaking outside Brisbane Coroners Court on the final day of a five-week inquest, Const Arnold's mother Sue said her family and the McCrows still had critical unanswered questions.

"(The hearings) confirmed our long-held belief that Nathaniel Train was not a missing person, rather someone who had lost touch with his family," Mrs Arnold said.

Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow
Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow were shot dead at a remote property at Wieambilla.

Brothers Nathaniel, 46, and Gareth Train, 47, set up concealed sniper positions on their driveway and opened fire on constables Arnold and McCrow.

"So, our children were executed for what ... a loss of contact?" Mrs Arnold said.

Nathaniel Train joined Gareth and his sibling's wife Stacey, 45, to fatally shoot neighbour Alan Dare, 58, soon after killing the two constables.

All three Trains were shot dead by specialist police officers hours later after refusing to negotiate or surrender.

Counsel assisting Ruth O'Gorman told Mr Ryan NSW Police officers made "deeply regrettable" oversights in not handing over all their reports on the Trains but there was never any prior information that would have indicated a risk to police.

Mr Ryan gave his condolences to the families of those who died and set a timetable for various parties to provide written submissions over the next three months before he handed down findings.

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store