Three dead, 7 critical after horror crash
Three people are dead and seven others are fighting for their lives after a horrific crash between a bus and a car towing a caravan.
Emergency services were called to the Bruce Highway near Gumlu, in Queensland’s Whitsundays region, just after 11am on Sunday following reports of a serious collision between two vehicles.
Queensland Ambulance Services confirmed seven people were being treated for “life threatening injuries” and 24 had been treated for minor injuries.
Superintendent Graeme Paine said three of the 33 people on-board the bus had been killed.
He said the bus was travelling northbound while the car towing a caravan was travelling in south on the Bruce Highway when they collided about 11.10am on Sunday.
“There’s been a collision between those two vehicles,” he says.
“Very significant impact and very significant consequences.
“Some of those people have been taken to Ayr Hospital and Townsville Hospital.
“And I can confirm that one person has been flown due to the significance of the injuries.”
Townsville Hospital and Health Service urged the surrounding community to avoid attending Townsville University Hospital and Ayr Health Service emergency departments if possible as staff work to assist those involved in the bus crash.
“Following a serious bus crash on the Bruce Highway south of the Burdekin, members of the community are asked to reconsider attending the Townsville University Hospital and Ayr Health Service emergency departments unless the matter is serious,” the THHS stated on social media.
“Staff at both hospitals are currently busy managing patients from the crash.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Superintendent Paine said the forensic crash unit was investigating the crash.
“Certainly a crash of this nature involving this many people is a very significant and very tragic incident for us,” he said.
“We have a number of specialists on scene that will work through the incident scene.
“They’ll forensically process the evidence and then we’ll look at that.”
Superintendent Paine said the Bruce Highway was expected to remain closed in both directions, with significant delays for several hours.
“We’ll certainly open (the highway) at the first chance we can get,” he said.
“We understand the impact that it has on those people using the road, both in a personal capacity and a commercial capacity.”
Greyhound Australia CEO Dan Smith said the company will continue to assist the investigation into the crash.
“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,” Mr Smith said in a statement on Sunday night.
“This is a tragic incident and our deepest sympathies go out to those involved and their families and friends.
“We are working closely with authorities to assist them with their investigation in understanding the course of events that have led to this accident.
“We are also providing support to members of our team impacted by this tragedy.
“We will provide further updates as more information becomes available and ask that you respect the privacy of those involved at this extremely difficult time.”
A spokesman confirmed a helicopter has flown to Townsville Hospital, while other patients have been transported to nearby Ayr Hospital.
Multiple paramedic crews remain on scene, alongside multiple police units and other emergency responders.
“It’s still changing, it’s still very much ongoing,” a QAS spokesman said.
QAS said there were a total of 33 patients on the intercity bus travelling between Bowen and Townsville.
