Sydney bus driver's 'insane' act investigated after viral TikTok
A Sydney bus driver is being investigated after a video emerged of the vehicle being driven through deep floodwater on Sydney's Northern Beaches, despite ongoing warnings it is unsafe.
The video has racked up thousands of views on TikTok with many slamming the driver for appearing to ignore advice from government and safety officials, with many dubbing it "insane" and "stupid".
The footage was taken last week when parts of NSW, including Sydney, copped intense rainfall which resulted in chaos on the roads.
Rather than avoiding the rising water on the flooded road the bus driver follows other vehicles straight into it causing the bus to be partially submerged in brown, murky water. Another car is seen turning around rather than driving into the floodwater.
It’s believed the bus was on the 185 route from Mona Vale to Narrabeen with no passengers on board at the time. People in the comments say the incident occurred on Macpherson St, Warriewood.
The Northern Beaches were among the worst hit in Sydney last week with flash flooding and heavy rains causing havoc in the area.
Dangerous act slammed: 'I can't believe it'
Last week, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet pleaded with drivers to avoid driving through floodwaters saying "we cannot say that more than enough".
The person who shared the video on TikTok video described the driver as a "stupidly fearless bus driver".
"Everyone knows Sydney bus drivers are insane," one wrote in the comments.
"I can't believe it," another said after watching the now-viral clip.
"So we’re ignoring the 'never drive through flood waters' thing now?" another fumed.
Road safety expert and Principal of Drive To Survive Ian Luff told the Daily Telegraph he was "absolutely gobsmacked" by the incident and said the driver should be suspended.
"What part of ‘it’s flooded’ didn’t this driver understand. This was totally dangerous and irresponsible," he reportedly fumed.
Keolis Downer, the Sydney bus company operating the route, is "aware of the incident" and said it is "currently under investigation".
"Keolis Downer prioritises the safety of its passengers and drivers at all times and has strict protocols in place governing driving through floodwaters," a spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia.
"We are aware of this incident, and it is currently still under investigation. There were no passengers on board the 185 service at the time of the incident.
"It would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time."
NSW flood emergency response scrutinised
The video emerged as an independent review of the NSW government's response to the flood emergency is underway. The review will determine what mistakes were made and what can be improved.
There's been widespread criticism about the time it took to deploy defence force troops to help with the crisis and questions are being asked about who is to blame.
"The deployment of ADF troops is something that will be considered as part of that review," said Steph Cooke, Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience.
"If there are ways that we need to do things differently in the future to ensure that our communities have the maximum amount of notice to prepare and our response is timely and is where it is needed, when it is needed, then that is something that will benefit communities right across NSW."
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