Brisbane CBD bus crash victim Tia Cameron’s final moments revealed

The family of a young woman killed in a freak Brisbane bus crash frantically searched for her and even filed a missing persons report before they were finally delivered the devastating news.

The family of a young woman killed in a freak bus crash in the Brisbane CBD frantically searched for her and even filed a missing persons report before they were finally delivered the devastating news hours after her death.

Tia Cameron, 18, was killed when an out-of-control Brisbane City Council bus mounted a footpath packed with peak-hour pedestrians about 5pm on Friday.

Tia Cameron, 18, was killed in a tragic bus accident in Brisbane’s CBD on Friday afternoon. Photo: Facebook.

Tia’s devastated aunty Karma Te Awhitu said: “We just feel like she’s been stolen from us.”

“She messaged me at 4pm saying she was getting her lashes done and asking if I wanted to catch up for a quick cocktail before she headed home,” she said.

“When I hadn’t heard from her and her partner hadn’t heard from her, we realised she was missing and started looking for her. I was ringing the hospital and Hayden was calling the police and even went to the police station to file a missing-person report, because it was just so out of character for her.

The cause of the tragic bus crash is under investigation

“There was absolutely no contact, and even after all our calls, no-one could tell us what had happened.

“It wasn’t until about 10.30 or 11 o’clock last night that the police rocked up at my sister’s (Jade) house and told her. We are a bit upset about that.”

Tia’s mother Jade Te Awhitu said she was heartbroken at the loss of her only child.

“She was only 18 and had her whole life ahead of her,” Ms Te Awhitu said.

“She was beautiful, outgoing and unique, really unique. She loved the beach, the Gold Coast, fashion and looking after her partner’s little puppies and dogs. She was really close with all of her family.”

The scene of the horrific bus crash in the Brisbane CBD. Photo: Steve Pohlner

Ms Te Awhitu said her daughter had attended Ferny Grove State High but left at 16 to work in the beauty industry before getting a job in admin at the prestigious Brisbane Club in the city.

“She really loved that job, but she had an aspiration to do aesthetics (beauty) or cosmetics – that was her interest.”

Tia had been dating her boyfriend, Hayden, since she was 14.

“He’s not very good but he’s holding in there – we’re all supporting each other,” Ms Te Awhitu said.

A paramedic speaks to witnesses at the scene of Friday night’s crash. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Karma Te Awhitu said the family were still waiting for more details about what caused the crash

“Tia just walked out of the building (and was struck by the bus) is what we’ve heard. But police haven’t even give us a report yet, we’re just going off hearsay and what we’ve read in the media. No-one’s actually told us what’s happened,” she said.

Council yesterday revealed the brakes of the bus had been tested last month as part of routine 10,000km testing.

Transport for Brisbane divisional manager Samantha Abeydeera said the vehicle would now go through an engineering investigation to ensure there were no mechanical failures.

Flowers left at the scene of the crash that claimed Tia Cameron’s life. Picture: David Clark

“We absolutely take the duty to the city safely and seriously.

“The bus driver has been operating with us for decades.”

Flowers have been left at the site of the crash on Saturday, with Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner visiting on Saturday morning, describing the accident as a “devastating tragedy” that had impacted every person in the city.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner with his wife Nina and councillor Ryan Murphy prepare to leave a tribute at the scene of the crash. Picture: David Clark

“What happened was a tragedy that led to the loss of a young life. At this point in time, many of those questions that we have are unanswered, but I want to assure the people of Brisbane that we will find the answers.”

State Development Minister Grace Grace, whose McConnel electorate takes in the CBD, said police needed time to complete their investigation into the tragedy and it was unfair to speculate on the cause.

“It’s not one of those normal kind of accidents – we’re not sure exactly what happened,” she said.

“Often in circumstances like this, it doesn’t help the family or friends (of victims) to have any information that is not accurate.

“I’m advised that the Forensic Crash Unit is undertaking a very thorough investigation into all the circumstances of this devastating incident and we await the outcome.”

Ms Grace said it was a “tragic, shocking incident … one of those accidents that you wish would never, ever, ever happen”.

She said she extended her sincere sympathies to Tia’s family and friends.

“I don’t know how a family reacts to a tragedy like that. I’ve got a child as well and to hear that news would be absolutely devastating,” she said.

The minister said she also wished the bus driver and passengers a speedy recovery from their injuries and said “every support” was being offered to those involved.

“Many people who even witnessed that would be traumatised by those events,” she said.

Emergency services workers at the scene of the Edward St crash. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen.