It is 30 years since a terrifying bus crash claimed the lives of 12 people and injured 39 in Boondall on Brisbane’s northside on October 24, 1994.

Boondall Bus crash of 1994 remembered 30 years on | PHOTOS

Staff Reporter

2 min read·September 11, 2024 - 5:17AM

Fraser Coast Chronicle

A shopping trip by war widows became one of Australia’s worst road disasters when 12 people were killed after a bus rolled on the Gateway Motorway 30 years ago. SEE THE PHOTOS

Still considered one of Australia’s worst road accidents, it is 30 years since a terrifying bus crash on Brisbane’s northside claimed the lives of 12 people and injured 39.

The bus carrying about 50 passengers, including 47 war widows from Maryborough, crashed and rolled on the Gateway Motorway about 10:20am on October 24, 1994.

A memorial service will be held on the lawn of Maryborough City Hall on October 24, 2024, to honour and remember those impacted and lost.

Many of the passengers were members of Maryborough’s Civilian Widows Association, who were travelling to Brisbane for a shopping trip when the bus tragically rolled down an embankment near Boondall.

The news of the day reported people screaming, dead bodies everywhere and a massive effort by emergency services, including 25 ambulances and four medevac helicopters.

The bus veered across the road, just missing south and northbound traffic, including a semi-trailer full of fuel, and rolled in the centre median strip, breaking all its windows.

The bus veered across the road, just missing south and northbound traffic, including a semi-trailer full of fuel, and rolled in the centre median strip, breaking all its windows. Passengers fell on each other, with several making contact with the road as the bus rolled and skidded.

Rescue workers at the scene of the Boondall bus crash on October 24, 1994.

Survivor Colleen Waldock said ten years ago, on the 20th anniversary of the tragedy, she did not remember much of the crash, as she had drifted in and out of consciousness.

Mrs Waldock had fallen asleep on the coach.

One of those injured in the terrible crash.

‘I WOKE UP AND WE WERE AIRBORNE’

“I dozed off, I woke up and we were airborne, the bus was starting to roll,” she said.

When she first came to, with her face ripped and mouth full of dirt, she couldn’t move but could hear her friend calling out to her. When she next woke, a man was standing over her.

A metal bar had smashed her arm and broken her leg.

Boondall bus crash survivor Maryborough resident Dorothy Byrne with the watch that saved her hand being severed.

“They couldn’t get it off … next thing I knew I was on the side of the road with people all around,” Mrs Waldock said.

She was taken to Brisbane’s Mater Hospital for treatment and was later moved to the Maryborough hospital.

Mrs Waldock said she had needed three bone grafts in her arm and eventually surgery on her hand where her little finger was removed

Elderly patients are assessed by a paramedic at the scene of the bus crash.

MEMORIAL SERVICE TO REMEMBER THE LOST

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said the Boondall bus crash was etched into the collective memory of the community.

“This memorial service is a solemn occasion to honour those we lost and remember the lives that were forever changed 30 years ago,” he said.

The Wide Bay Tour coach crashed in Brisbane suburb of Boondall.

“This service is a way for us to all come together, reflect and support one another as we remember the victims, the survivors, the first responders and all those affected by this tragic event.”

The service will take place near the Boondall Bus Memorial Stone on the City Hall lawn, located on the Lennox Street side near the fountain.

Rescue workers tend to the injured in the horror bus crash.

The service will be presided over by Pastor Chris Foley and will include hymns sung by the combined choirs of St Mary’s Primary School and St Mary’s College.

“During the service, there will be an opportunity to lay wreaths or flowers in memory of loved ones, and after the service, everyone is welcome to stay and share memories inside City Hall.”

In the event of bad weather, the service will be moved indoors at City Hall.