Tensions boil over as bus driver charged over CBD crash that killed Tia Cameron appears

The mother of a teenager killed in a Brisbane CBD bus crash has issued a “wholehearted” apology to the driver accused of careless driving causing death after what she called the “disgraceful behaviour” of some of the family’s supporters.

The mother of a teenager killed in a CBD bus crash has issued an apology to the driver accused of careless driving causing death after what she called “disgraceful behaviour” of some of the family’s supporters.

Lindsay Frances Selby, 70, appeared in court charged with one count of driving without due care and attention causing the death of Tia Cameron.

Ms Cameron was killed on March 8 after a bus mounted the footpath on Edward St in the city, pinning her against the Anzac Square arcade building just after 5pm on March 8.

On Wednesday morning Selby faced Brisbane Magistrates Court where about 20 supporters and family of Ms Cameron, wearing T-shirts with her image, also attended.

Bus driver Lindsay Selby leaves Brisbane Magistrates Court. Picture: NewsWire

Magistrate Ross Mack adjourned the matter several times so the supporters could be ushered into the small courtroom.

“ If I whizz it through, it’s a conspiracy,” he told Selby’s lawyer Claire McGee.

Ms Cameron’s partner Hayden McKinlay stood near Selby as he sat in the court and glared at him.

When the case was finally brought on Ms Cameron’s supporters were angered when it was adjourned within minutes, as is standard for first appearances, for two months to allow a forensic crash report to be completed and provided to the defence.

“F***ing kidding me,” one supporter said.

Tia Cameron, 18, had just left a beauty appointment when the accident happened. Picture: Facebook.

“We have to be dragged through it all over again,” another said.

One supporter called Selby a “f***ing f****t”.

“Don’t try it. I’ve given you the courtesy of letting you in, just let it run its course,” Mr Mack said.

Ms McGee declined the magistrate’s offer of getting security to escort Selby out of the courtroom.

As he left the room Selby was verbally abused by several supporters who had to be restrained by others.

Tia’s mother, Jade Te Awhitu, issued a heartfelt apology to Selby late on Wednesday, labelling the courtroom outbursts by supporters “a disgrace”.

“I would like to apologise to Mr Selby for the intimidation and abuse you received in court today by a few, you should never be subjected to such disrespect, and I will not stand behind this type of behaviour,” she told the accused bus driver in a statement via The Courier-Mail.

“In all of my grief and the grief of my family, we did feel for you today, and I wholeheartedly apologise.

“I also ask that those who choose to attend court in the future to please respect our family, the court process and most importantly Tia’s memory.

“This behaviour is a disgrace to my family and the memory of my daughter.”

The case will next be before court on September 4.

Selby declined to comment outside court where he was followed and heckled by several of Ms Cameron’s supporters.

Outside court Tayleeha Cordwell, a close friend of Mr McKinlay, said it should have never have happened.

“It would just be nice to have some sort of support or apology with regards to what has actually happened,” she said.

The scene of a crash in Brisbane CBD that killed 18-year-old Tia Cameron. Picture: NewsWire / Steve Pohlner

Another friend Jesse Kelly called for changes to bus safety.

“We need to change the age with more training needs to be incorporated,” he said.

Mr Kelly addressed the emotional scenes from supporters at the court appearance.

“We got all the support rallied beyond us it’s just disappointing not to see an outcome dragging on for the family,” he said.

“They’re going to keep riding this roller coaster until it comes to an end and then hopefully then they can finally get some closure.”

He said Ms Cameron was “loving, caring, completely selfless”.

Originally published as Tensions boil over as bus driver charged over CBD crash that killed Tia Cameron appears