Woman 'falls through deck on to passenger on toilet' as Brisbane riverboat crashes
A woman reportedly fell through the cracks of an iconic riverboat’s deck and on to another woman on the toilet on the level below, when the boat crashed into a Brisbane wharf.
The Kookaburra Queen 2 crashed into a walkway on Brisbane river on Thursday, according to Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) who are investigating the crash.
The crash reportedly splintered the paddleboat’s outer railing and floor level, according to a 9 News report.
One 30-year-old woman fell through the cracked deck and on to the lap of a passenger in her 70’s, who was on the toilet at the time.
“AMSA understands the paddle steamer collided with the bicentennial bike way near the riverside expressway while transiting the Brisbane River around 2pm today,” AMSA said in their initial statement on Thursday.
“The collision caused a section of the upper deck to give way, with One passenger falling to the lower deck and sustaining minor injuries.”
AMSA said the boat was able to safely return to Eagle Street Pier after the crash. Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics, Queensland Police and AMSA inspectors were at the scene.
“AMSA has launched an investigation into the incident and issued a prohibition notice, preventing the paddle steamer from being operated with the exception of being relocated to an appropriate facility for repair works,” AMSA said in a statement.
According to the Brisbane Times, three patients were taken to hospital after the crash, and the boat had 60 passengers on board.
The publication reports a man in his 70s suffered a knee injury, a woman in her 70’s suffered an arm injury and a woman in her 30’s lower back was injured.
‘New skipper at the helm’
Queensland Police Inspector Adam Muir told reporters the person in charge of the boat at the time of the crash was “relatively new”. Nine news has since reported yesterday was the skipper’s first day.
In a statement to the Brisbane Times, Kookaburra Showboat Cruises apologised for the incident and said they are “looking into” the crash and ensuring “everyone is OK”.
Inquiries are ongoing.
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