Childcare bus tragedy: Nevaeh Austin stable as probe continues

It was the second such incident in Queensland in a little over two years, now the community is demanding answers over the latest childcare tragedy.

A furious community is desperate for answers after it was revealed that a three-year-old girl who was found unresponsive on a daycare centre’s bus near Rockhampton was the only child on the particular trip.

A childcare worker preparing to do the afternoon school pick-up run was the one who made the grim discovery of “forgotten” Nevaeh Austin, unresponsive and still strapped into her car seat.

The shocking details emerged as the girl’s grandmother told media on Thursday she was “hurt” and “angry”, but insisted that the small child’s condition had improved.

Despite grim early doubts over the girl’s outlook, Pamela Parker said the “prognosis is good”.

“I’m thankful my granddaughter has pulled through,” she said yesterday.

The girl was flown to Brisbane for treatment at the Queensland Children’s Hospital, and it was confirmed to The Courier-Mail last night she remained in intensive care but was in a stable condition.

Nevaeh had been picked up from a Gracemere home by the Le Smileys Early Learning Centre staff in the centre’s van about 9am on Wednesday, police allege.

Nevaeh Austin was left on a bus at a Gracemere childcare centre.

She was the only child to be picked up on that particular run and two workers – a female driver and another worker – were on the bus with her, police said.

The van arrived at the ­centre and, for reasons unknown, Nevaeh remained on the bus with her school bag and belongings.

She was not discovered until shortly before 3pm.

The three-year-old was unconscious and taken into the centre, where staff began CPR and emergency services were called.

Paramedics rushed her to Rockhampton Hospital in a critical condition and she was flown to Queensland Children’s Hospital on Wednesday night.

Nevaeh’s grandmother Pamela told Channel 9 that Nevaeh was given a 5 per cent chance of surviving on Wednesday night.

Her father, Shane Austin, told The Courier-Mail on the night of the incident Nevaeh had to undergo a deep brain scan and her kidney was failing.

The childcare centre remained a crime scene yesterday.

“She’s the most loudest little girl they tell me… she’s the heart of the daycare,” Mr Austin said.

Police yesterday outlined the latest developments in the investigation, which has now been dubbed Operation Uniform Caprock.

No charges have been laid.

“Approximately 3pm (on Wednesday) police were notified in relation to a three year old female child that had been left unattended in an early learning centre bus,” Capricornia District Detective Inspector Darrin Shadlow said.

Inspector Shadlow confirmed she was the only child on the bus at the time.

“When they (the staff) returned to the centre, the driver and one other person who were in the bus at the time have forgotten that she was there,” Inspector Shadlow said.

Queensland Ambulance Service Central Region operations manager Jason Thompson said the girl did not need to be intubated, but remained in a critical but stable condition at hospital with her parents.

Victim Nevaeh Austin

“The child was unconscious at the start and they gave (her) some treatment just reviving them, they didn’t have to intubate the young child. Once they had a good airway they transported her,” he said.

Education Minister Grace Grace said her heart went out to the child fighting for her life.

“My thoughts are also with her family, friends and the entire Gracemere community,” she said.

“I am confident I speak for all Queenslanders when I say we are wishing her a full and speedy recovery.

“This simply should not have happened.

“Families need to have peace of mind that when they send their children off to school, kindy or daycare, they will come home safe.”

Ms Grace said her department, as the regulatory authority, was working with police to get to the bottom of the horrific incident.

“The regulatory authority does not hesitate to take serious action when services fail to ensure children’s health and safety,” she said.

“And where other tragic incidents have occurred, the necessary action has been taken.”.