Northern Beaches: Driver under investigation after bus driven through floods

Road experts are calling for a Northern Beaches bus driver to be suspended after footage emerged of the bus being driven through deep flood water.

Road experts are calling for a Northern Beaches bus driver to be suspended after footage emerged of a moving transport vehicle submerged to its windscreen in deep floodwaters.

The clip follows torrential rain across Sydney over the past week causing widespread flash flooding across the city and perilous conditions for commuters.

Officials have repeatedly encouraged residents to avoid travelling during the treacherous conditions, and not to drive if roads are flooded.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet told residents last week: “Please don‘t drive through floodwaters, we cannot say that more than enough.”

But it appears the Premier’s warning went unheeded after the video of a bus driver on the 185 route from Mona Vale to Narrabeen emerged on TikTok last week.

The video, captioned “Every city transport system needs a stupidly fearless bus driver” shows the driver guiding the vehicle directly into deep floodwaters, with water levels so high they reached halfway up the vehicle‘s windscreen.

While another car driver is seen making a hasty U-turn at the water‘s edge in the background, the bus pushes on followed by another car, ironically passing a third vehicle stranded in the midst of the torrent of water, flashing its hazard lights.

The video ends before the bus is seen making it out of the water. It is not clear if any passengers were on-board.

The video has received more than 60,000 likes on TikTok, and users took to the comments to share their thoughts.

“Can you imagine being on that bus,” one wrote.

Another remarked: “So we’re ignoring the ‘never drive through floodwaters’ thing now.”

Road safety expert and Principal of Drive To Survive Ian Luff said he was “absolutely gobsmacked” by the incident and called for the driver to be suspended.

He said if the bus had become submerged, SES crews would have had to “redivert” resources carrying out a rescue which could have been avoided.

“What part of ‘it’s flooded’ didn’t this driver understand, they have responsibility for the safety of themselves, if there are any passengers on board as well as other motorists … this was totally dangerous and irresponsible,” Mr Luff said.

“If the bus had gotten stuck then SES resources would have been taken away from more urgent matters … this driver needs to take a long hard look at themselves, they should be suspended to teach them a lesson and the bus company needs to read their drivers the riot act about responsible behaviour.”

The driver is now under investigation following the incident. Source: TikTok

The State Emergency Service has completed more than 269 flood rescues over the past week during the wild weather, and around 2000 since the heavy rainfall pattern began on February 22.

An SES spokesman said: “The message to motorists has always been simple, if it‘s flooded, forget it.”

A spokesman from Northern Beaches bus service operator Keolis Downer said the incident was “under investigation”.

“Keolis Downer prioritises the safety of its passengers and drivers at all times, and has strict protocols in place governing driving through floodwaters,” the spokesman said.

“We are aware of this incident, and it is currently under investigation. It would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time.”