Three Gold Coast teens charged with alleged assault on bus driver Mudgeeraba

A senior police officer says teenagers accused of bashing of a bus driver are ‘lucky’ he was not killed. Full details.

A senior police officer says teenagers accused of bashing of a bus driver are “lucky” he was not killed.

Police will allege the teens graffitied back seats of a Kinetic bus and tried to open the door to its engine before punching and kicking the 68-year-old driver when he confronted them.

The driver was taken to Pindara Hospital with injuries including a fractured left ankle after the incident, which took place at a stop on Springsure Dr in Mudgeeraba at about 4.30pm on Thursday.

A 17-year-old Southport boy and a 14-year-old Mudgeeraba boy have since been charged with serious assault of a person over 60. Both boys have been dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.

A 15-year-old Tallai boy was charged with grievous bodily harm and wilful damage. He was released on bail and will appear before the Southport Children’s Court on May 15.

Police at Springsure Dr in Mudgeeraba after a bus driver was seriously assaulted. Picture: 9 Gold Coast News.

Superintendent Peter Miles said the “disturbing offence” could have had a more serious outcome.

“It doesn’t take much to kill someone with a punch,” Supt Miles said. “You’ve got 17-year-olds throwing punches against a 68-year-old.”

Supt Miles said the driver had feared the teens were interfering with the vehicle’s engine when he got out of the bus to confront them.

“He had three juveniles on board that were graffitiing the back seat and causing a disturbance. They get off at a bus stop and then one of them tries to open the door to the bus motor. Fearing that they were tampering with the motor the driver has got out to confront them to see what was going on,” he said.

“As a result of doing that he’s ended up with a broken ankle and been seriously assaulted. And we’re talking a punch to the head, kicked by another offender.

“So three of them, 14, 15 and 17, have set upon this male who was just trying to go about his daily work.”

The incident was also last week condemned by bus company bosses and senior politicians.

Kinetic executive general manager for South East Queensland Martin Hall said the company was offering every possible support to the injured driver.

Bus company boss speaks out after ‘deeply distressing’ assault on driver

The South East Queensland boss of Kinetic buses has spoken out after one of its drivers was allegedly assaulted in a shocking attack on a quiet Mudgeeraba street.

The driver suffered a serious injury to his left leg after being allegedly assaulted by three juveniles at a stop in Springsure Drive at 4.30pm on Thursday.

Kinetic executive general manager for the region Martin Hall said it was a “deeply distressing incident”.

“Bus drivers play an important role in the community and deserve to feel safe and be treated with respect in their workplace,” Mr Hall said.

“Anti-social behaviour and criminal activity is not tolerated, and all matters are referred to and dealt with by QPS.

“We thank emergency services for their swift response and attendance to our driver as we assist QPS with their investigations.”

Police at Springsure Dr in Mudgeeraba after a bus driver was seriously assaulted. Picture: 9 Gold Coast News.

Police established a crime scene after the alleged assault on the 68-year-old driver.

Officers said he had stepped out of his vehicle to speak with the juveniles before a “physical altercation” ensued.

The three allegedly fled the scene on foot before police arrived.

“Police are investigating the assault of a man on Springsure Drive in Mudgeeraba around 4.30pm,” a Queensland Police Service spokesperson said.

“The people involved have left the scene and police are running out inquiries to locate them. A crime scene has been established.”

Transport Minister Bart Mellish. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Martin Hall, Kinetic EGM South East Queensland Tweed. Picture Glenn Hampson

The Bulletin understands the injured driver was found lying on the ground outside his bus when emergency services arrived.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesperson said the man was taken in a stable condition to Pindara Hospital with a fractured left ankle.

Mr Hall said Kinetic was providing its “full support” to the driver, while the incident was also condemned by Mayor Tom Tate and Transport Minister Bart Mellish.

“For me it’s un-Australian,” Mayor Tate said.

Mr Mellish said his “primary focus” in regards to public transport was making sure people were safe.

“That’s really sad and really disappointing to see in terms of that incident on the bus,” he said.

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information to contact police at 131 444.

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