Following a “tragic” collision involving a bus and caravan on a major Queensland highway, three bus passengers have perished and four others are in critical condition.
The Greyhound bus, which was carrying a caravan when it collided with a four-wheel drive vehicle near the Wilson Creek Rest Area on the Bruce Highway at Gumlu, south of Townsville, was carrying 33 passengers, according to the police.
Photos taken at the scene reveal a red bus that has stopped next to train tracks, with a caravan lodged in its front, following a high-speed collision on the busiest road in the state.
Three females were killed in the crash shortly after 11 a.m., according to Queensland Police Superintendent Graeme Paine, though he was unable to establish their ages.
According to Queensland Ambulance, four patients were sent to the hospital in critical condition. CEO of Greyhound Australia Dan Smith stated that the firm was cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation and would release further details as they become accessible.
“We are heartbroken that three passengers aboard Greyhound Australia service GX402 travelling from Brisbane to Townsville have died after a motor vehicle accident at Gumlu in North Queensland today,” he said in a statement.
“A number of more passengers suffered severe injuries as well, and they are presently at the hospital facility. “We have the utmost sympathy for the individuals concerned, as well as their families and friends, as this is a devastating tragedy.
Numerous individuals were treated on the spot, and a few were sent to the hospitals in Ayr and Townsville, while one was airlifted there.
In a Facebook post, Townsville Hospital and Health Service requested residents to “reconsider” their need to visit certain hospitals, and all of the staff was summoned into work.
“A crash like this is very, very confronting,” Paine stated. “The first responders and the community members on scene at the time have done a very significant job in trying to help those who are injured and safeguard the scene.”
The cause of the crash is being looked into by the police.
“We haven’t determined any factors that have contributed to the crash at this stage, but certainly a crash of this nature involving this many people is a very significant and very tragic incident for us” Paine stated.
Due to heavy traffic, both directions of the Bruce Highway are still closed, and drivers are advised to avoid the area.
The collision has also had an impact on the rail line.
A bus and caravan incident in Queensland resulted in three passenger deaths and numerous injuries.
Following a “tragic” collision involving a bus and caravan on a major Queensland highway, three bus passengers have perished and four others are in critical condition.
The Greyhound bus, which was carrying a caravan when it collided with a four-wheel drive vehicle near the Wilson Creek Rest Area on the Bruce Highway at Gumlu, south of Townsville, was carrying 33 passengers, according to the police.
Three females were killed in the crash shortly after 11 a.m., according to Queensland Police Superintendent Graeme Paine, though he was unable to establish their ages.
According to Queensland Ambulance, four patients were sent to the hospital in critical condition.
CEO of Greyhound Australia Dan Smith stated that the firm was cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation and would release further details as they become accessible.
“We are heartbroken that three passengers aboard Greyhound Australia service GX402 travelling from Brisbane to Townsville have died after a motor vehicle accident at Gumlu in North Queensland today,” he said in a statement.
“A number of more passengers suffered severe injuries as well, and they are presently at the hospital facility. “We have the utmost sympathy for the individuals concerned, as well as their families and friends, as this is a devastating tragedy.
Numerous individuals were treated on the spot, and a few were sent to the hospitals in Ayr and Townsville, while one was airlifted there.
In a Facebook post, Townsville Hospital and Health Service requested residents to “reconsider” their need to visit certain hospitals, and all of the staff was summoned into work.
“A crash like this is very, very confronting,” Paine stated. “The first responders and the community members on scene at the time have done a very significant job in trying to help those who are injured and safeguard the scene.”
The cause of the crash is being looked into by the police.
“We haven’t determined any factors that have contributed to the crash at this stage, but certainly a crash of this nature involving this many people is a very significant and very tragic incident for us” Paine stated.
Due to heavy traffic, both directions of the Bruce Highway are still closed, and drivers are advised to avoid the area.
The collision has also had an impact on the rail line.
