Charleville truck explosion: Tim Bunyan honoured for heroic actions

WHEN a B-double containing 52 tonnes of Ammonium Nitrate crashed and exploded, truckie Tim Bunyan immediately leapt into action. Because of him a man is alive today.

A TRUCK driver who risked his own life to save a man from a fiery crash in Queensland’s west says he “wouldn’t hesitate” to do it again.

Tim Bunyan was driving to Charleville in September 2014 when he came upon a burning B-double truck that had crashed off the Angellala Creek Bridge on the Mitchell Hwy while carrying over 52 tonnes of the highly explosive chemical Ammonium Nitrate.

The scene of the Charleville truck explosion

The 57-year-old from Peak Hill in New South Wales leapt into action to help the injured truck driver without a thought for his own personal safety.

”Someone was injured and I had to help them, I didn’t really think much at all,” he said.

Mr Bunyan and six others were seriously injured when the volatile chemicals exploded, completely destroying the truck and nearby bridges.

What is left of a fire truck that was on scene at the massive Charleville explosion. Picture: QPS Media.

Truck driver Timothy John Bunyan with his wife Brenda. Picture: Jack Tran

It was the most powerful explosion in Australian transporting history with authorities calling it a “miracle” no one was killed.

Asked if he’d do it again Mr Bunyan said he would rush to help “even if I was on a horse”.

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove on Sunday presented Mr Bunyan with The Royal Humane Society of Australasia’s Clarke Gold Medal, the society’s highest award for the most outstanding case of bravery throughout the year.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Acting Commissioner Mark Roche commended Mr Bunyan’s actions assisting the crash victim and first responders on the scene.

“He decided to stop, he decided to help, he knew that there were dangers ... he is a brave person and the recognition of the award today is testament to the courage of him and the decisions that he made on that evening,” he said.