Woman remains in critical condition after bus crash in Southport

A woman who was hit by a bus on her way to work at the Southport Courthouse remains in a critical condition in hospital, with legal sources saying they are praying the popular figure pulls through.

A woman seriously hurt when she was hit by a bus in Southport remains in a critical condition at Gold Coast University Hospital.

Lauren Harvey was hit by the bus at a pedestrian crossing at the corner Hinze and Davenport streets at about 8am on Monday.

The 41-year-old, who works as a receptionist with the Director of Public Prosecutions, was walking to work at the Southport Courthouse at the time.

She suffered a fractured skull and brain bleed in the incident.

On Tuesday she was still listed in a critical condition as she continues to receive treatment in hospital.

A legal source said the mum of two was a popular figure at the courthouse.

“It’s very sad – she’s the person who greets everyone at the DPP office and has always been lovely,” they said.

“She was just walking to work when it happened. Everyone in the Gold Coast legal fraternity is hoping she pulls through.”

Police and ambulance crews at the scene. Picture: Charlton Hart.

The crash is being investigated by the Queensland Police Service’s Forensic Crash Unit.

Police, who have recovered CCTV footage of the accident, said the driver of the bus had spoken to officers and was co-operating with their investigation.

No charges have yet been laid.

Speaking on Monday a Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said paramedics including a specialist critical care team treated Ms Harvey for “significant” head injuries.

She was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital in a life-threatening condition.

Acting Superintendent Scott Knowles from Gold Coast police said the woman was being treated for a fractured skull and bleeding to her brain.

“At about 8am this morning (Monday) there was a traffic accident at Southport at the intersection of Hinze St and Davenport St,” he said.

“A female was walking across the pedestrian crossing there heading towards the courthouse building. A bus that was turning from Davenport St into Hinze St has actually struck the pedestrian as she was walking across the crossing.

“At this point in time she is currently in hospital. The latest information I have is she has fractures to her skull and bleeding on the brain.”

Damage to the bus involved in the crash. Picture: Charlton Hart

Police closed Hinze street in both directions and taped off the scene as the Forensic Crash Unit investigated.

The bus had come to a stop in the middle of the pedestrian crossing.

Its windscreen was shattered on the driver’s side, where the vehicle is understood to have struck the woman.

Officers spoke with a number of people at the scene who are believed to have witnessed the incident.

Acting Supt Knowles said police had also recovered CCTV from nearby premises and were speaking with the driver of the bus as they worked to establish how the accident happened.

“We’ve got a lot of CCTV footage from council and the courthouse. That will be part of investigations,” he said.

“(The bus driver) is helping us. He’s assisting us with our investigations.”