Cowper Bus crash remembered as 25th anniversary approaches

SES volunteers who responded to the Cowper Bus tragedy will finally be given formal, personal recognition of their heroic actions.

A Pacific Highway roadside plaque marks where the Cowper Bus crash occurred on October 20, 1989. . Picture: Adam Hourigan

AS THE 25th anniversary draws near, SES volunteers who responded to the Cowper Bus tragedy will finally be given formal, personal recognition of their heroic actions.

NSW Premier Mike Baird has announced volunteers who were attached to Grafton and Maclean SES as the 1989 tragedy unfolded will receive a Premier's Award.

Individual plaques will also be given to both units in response to an approach made by former SES Executive Officer, Bryan Robins.

A special ceremony to present the awards will be held the day prior to the 25th anniversary of the crash on Sunday, October 19.

It will be held at Cowper Catholic Church Hall at 2pm.

A Service of Remembrance is also planned on the morning of the anniversary, organised by Clarence Valley Council and the local Minister's Fraternal.

The Cowper disaster on the Pacific Highway killed 21 people and injured 22 others.

Two months later it was followed by an even worse catastrophe at Clybucca Flat north of Kempsey where 35 were killed with a further 41 people injured when two buses collided.

Originally published as Cowper Bus crash remembered as 25th anniversary approaches