Toowoomba police investigate bus involved in hit-and-run, swiping several parked cars

Police have asked the Department of Transport and Main Roads to the review a bus driver’s fitness to hold a licence after he crashed into multiple cars in front of a popular Toowoomba primary school.

The school bus driver who rear ended a motorist and side swiped multiple cars near Rangeville State School has been hit with fines totalling $2012 at the close of a two day police investigation.

Buses Queensland driver had recently picked up students about 3pm on Monday when he attempted to squeeze between several cars despite the gap between them being too narrow, along High Street and Alderley Street in Rangeville and South Toowoomba.

A woman whose car was written off during the bizarre hit-and-run incident said the sound of the collision was like “thunder”.

The woman, who requested anonymity, said she was alerted to something wrong when she heard a loud bang – which was later revealed to be the sound of her tyre popping.

One of the cars heavily damaged by a bus in a reported hit-and-run incident on Alderley Street in South Toowoomba on Monday.

“My car is going to be a write-off, I worked so hard to get that car – I’m going to be out of having a car for a long while,” she added.

The vehicle owner said she spoke with a pregnant woman who was rear-ended by the bus, which collected other cars as it drove off up Alderley Street.

One of the cars heavily damaged by a bus in a reported hit-and-run incident on Alderley Street in South Toowoomba on Monday.

“(The driver) just drove on and collected another three cars until (the vehicle) hit a power pole,” she said.

Police confirmed it was searching for CCTV footage of the incident from businesses “over a large area” of Toowoomba.

It is understood five other vehicles are involved.

Police located the man on Wednesday and issued him with three fines for driving without due care and attention, totalling $1725 along with a $287 fine for failing to fulfil the duties of a driver involved in a crash as a result of failing to stop after rear-ending the pregnant woman’s vehicle.

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said investigators are liaising with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to assess the man’s viability to hold a licence.

In a letter sent home to parents, Rangeville State School principal Ben Kidd said students affected by the incident were offered counselling.

“I want to reassure you that we treat the safety and welfare of your children, our students, as our highest priority,” the letter said.

“Understandably some students may be distressed and support is available at the school to any students who require it.”

Originally published as Toowoomba police investigate bus involved in hit-and-run, swiping several parked cars