Campbell Newman slammed over Brisbane bus crash tweet

CAMPBELL Newman has been slammed for what’s been called “a lack of emotional intelligence” following his response to a fatal crash in Brisbane’s CBD. But he stands by his comments.

QUEENSLAND Police Minister Mark Ryan has slammed Campbell Newman’s comments over the police response to a fatal crash in Brisbane’s CBD this morning, saying he was appalled by the former premier’s stance.

The State’s LNP Leader Deb Frecklington also labelled Mr Newman’s comments “insensitive and inappropriate”.

Mr Newman used Twitter to take a swipe at police after a 51-year-old woman was killed after colliding with a bus in the city, saying their response created traffic chaos in the area.

Police at the intersection of Wharf Street and Wickham Terrace in Brisbane after the crash. Picture: AAP/Claudia Baxter

Ann Street was shut for two hours while traffic was diverted onto other busy roads after the woman, from Samford Valley, died while trying to cross the road about 7am.

“There must be a better way for the Qld Police to deal with a tragic pedestrian death than to shut down the entire northern side of Brisbane and create total and utter chaos extending more than 5km from the CBD,” Mr Newman tweeted.

There must be a better way for the Qld Police to deal with a tragic pedestrian death than to shut down the entire northern side of Brisbane and create total and utter chaos extending more than 5 km from the CBD.

— Campbell Newman (@CampbellNewman) May 21, 2018

His comments were immediately slammed by other Twitter users, including one who said his response showed a “lack of emotional intelligence”. Others were more blunt, calling him an “idiot” and “insensitive prat”.

Police Minister Mark Ryan later addressed Mr Newman’s comments, saying he was “appalled”.

“I’m … aware of the effect this tragic accident would have had on our police and emergency services personnel, as well as city workers and commuters who were at the scene at the time,” he said in a statement this afternoon.

“I commend police and emergency services personnel for their response. Incidents like this leave a lasting impact on everyone involved.

“However, I must say that I was appalled by comments made by former premier and former Brisbane lord mayor Campbell Newman about the police management of traffic while they were taking the necessary steps to investigate and respond to this morning’s tragedy.”

My thoughts are with the family of the woman tragically killed in Brisbane CBD today and the first responders who tried so valiantly to save her. I don’t care what side of politics you are on, the former Premier’s comments this morning were insensitive and inappropriate.

— Deb Frecklington MP (@DebFrecklington) May 22, 2018

Ms Frecklington also responded via Twitter about 4pm, saying “I don’t care what side of politics you are on, the former Premier’s comments this morning were insensitive and inappropriate”.

"In today's news, @campbellnewman again confirms total lack of emotional intelligence."

— JohnnySparkles (@JohnnyCSparkles) May 21, 2018

Sorry that someone's death and a horrible incident inconvenienced you. You'll be right though, get on your bike and get on with it

— Jade Osterholm (@JadeOsterholm) May 22, 2018

What an incredibly inconsiderate thing to say. Someone died. A family's life has been changed forever today and all you can do is whinge about QLD police doing something better with the traffic. Go and crawl back into the hole that you came from and don't come out.

— Monique (@MoniqueHennessy) May 22, 2018

You insensitive prat.

— Brooke Jacobson (@brookeCjacobson) May 22, 2018

You are being unrealistic. The police will only take the action and time required to resolve the issue including their investigation. As a former Army officer and Premier you should not better. Please think before you comment in future.

— Jason (@greyman003) May 22, 2018

why must there be ? someone has died in a horrible accident ! just imagine you down there & it's your daughter who got killed & your telling QPS to hurry up .... cause too many cars inconvenienced ! 😠 thought you smarter than that !!

— Archie (@archiecammo) May 22, 2018

The comments on his original tweet prompted Mr Newman to tweet again and defend his stance, saying “for those of you who don’t agree, what about the surgeons and doctors who didn’t get to the hospitals on time, the cancer patients who were heading for treatment, the kids who had exams, the people who missed job interviews etc?”

And for those of you who don't agree, what about the surgeons and doctors who didn't get to the hospitals on time, the cancer patients who were heading for treatment, the kids who had exams, the people who missed job interviews etc. etc. ? https://t.co/dCPec2CVg0

— Campbell Newman (@CampbellNewman) May 22, 2018

Speaking to The Courier-Mail, Mr Newman described the incident as a tragedy but said he was simply questioning whether the aftermath could have been handled differently by police in a bid to avoid unintended consequences.

“I hope that no one has been hurt by a flow on from today’s incident,” he said.

“What if somebody involved in a traffic accident elsewhere had died in an ambulance this morning because the police had essentially closed down the inner north of Brisbane.

“What exasperates me is the typical pile on from the left.

“Rather than looking rationally at an issue they resort to these sorts of personal attacks and innuendo when really it is commonsense and appropriate for us to question how these sorts of things are handled.

“I am just really calling for a bit of a look at this and if I had been premier still I would have called in the police minister and the commissioner and sat down with them today and I would have said ‘how can we do this better’.”

Former Queensland premier Campbell Newman criticised the police response to a fatal crash in Brisbane’s CBD, saying officers caused traffic chaos.

Police had earlier urged people to avoid the crash scene at the intersection with Wharf Street.

A TransLink spokesman said there were 18 bus services cancelled with half-hour delays on the majority of city buses.

Buses travelling in both directions through the Brisbane CBD have returned to schedule but passengers were told to expect residual delays about 10.30am.

Traffic diversions were put in place while officers cleared the scene.