The driver of a Greyhound bus involved in a horrific head-on crash on the freeway that left three people dead has been charged.
A 51-year-old man has been charged over the June 30 crash in which a Greyhound bus collided with an ATV towing a caravan on the Bruce Highway in far north Queensland.
The man was arrested on Tuesday and charged with five counts of dangerous driving with a vehicle causing death or grievous bodily harm.
Two German women, aged 21 and 33, and a 56-year-old woman from Townsville who were on the bus died at the scene as a result of the accident which occurred near Gumlu, north of Bowen.
Another 27 passengers were injured, including three men who were taken to hospital in critical condition, while the occupants of the 4WD escaped unharmed.
Queensland Police allege the bus veered onto the wrong side of the road, causing the collision.
“The bus is believed to have veered onto the wrong side of the road and hit a Landcruiser station wagon coming from the opposite direction and towing a caravan,” a police statement said.
In July, the 21-year-old victim of the accident was identified as Aliya Tonga, while the 56-year-old grandmother was named as Emma “Alli” Sailor.
The wreckage of a Greyhound bus that hit a 4WD on the Bruce Highway in far north Queensland on June 30
German woman Aliya Tonga, 21, was one of three women who died in the horrific bus crash
Mrs. Tonga’s body was transferred to Germany, where she was buried on July 18 in her hometown of Wesel.
Just days after the crash, her cousin flew to Australia on behalf of the family to find out more about the circumstances surrounding Ms Tonga’s death.
Shocking pictures of the aftermath show the cabin of the caravan wedged into the front of the bus, which had been pushed onto a nearby railway line.
The bus was en route from Brisbane to Townsville and had 33 people on board.
Mackay Whitsunday crash officer and forensic crash unit Sergeant Michael Hollett said earlier that initial police investigations indicated the bus had veered into the opposite lane.
He said the incident happened “quickly” and the driver of the 4WD “did what he could” but could not avoid the crash.
As a result of the crash, three women on the bus were killed and three men were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Greyhound Australia CEO Dan Smith said the company was “heartbroken” at the loss of three people and several others injured in the collision.
“This is a tragic incident and our deepest condolences go out to those involved and their families and friends,” he said.
‘We are working closely with the authorities to assist them with their investigation into the sequence of events that led to this accident. We are also providing support to members of our team who have been affected by this tragedy.
“We will update you as more information becomes available. We ask that you respect the privacy of those involved during this extremely difficult time.”
The driver was due to appear in Brisbane District Court on Tuesday and is due to appear in Bowen District Court on September 24.
