Bus driver dead after slamming into truck on Western Highway

The devastated son of Emil Pich, the bus driver killed in truck smash on the Western Highway, has paid tribute to his father as a generous man who would “drop everything” for anyone in need. It comes as police lay drug charges against the truck’s passenger.

Bus driver Emil Pich was killed after his bus crashed into an overturned truck. Picture: David Caird

A Ferntree Gully grandfather has been remembered as a selfless, generous man who loved motorsports and would “drop anything” for anyone in need.

It comes as police laid serious drug dealing charges against a passenger inside the B-double truck that sparked the fatal crash near Horsham.

Rhys Pich told the Herald Sun his father Emil, who was killed driving a bus near Horsham, was a loving parent to his three children and seven grandchildren.

“My dad would drop anything he was doing to help me out if I ever needed it, and that went for everyone else in his life too,’ he said.

“He was kind, generous and was always organising the family gatherings.

“Not being able to say goodbye to him feels like my heart has been smashed into a million pieces.”

Emil Pich, 60, from Ferntree Gully.

The passenger in the truck, a 22-year-old South Australian woman, was allegedly caught with drugs following the crash that killed Mr Pich and seriously injured several others.

The Murray Bridge woman has been charged with traffick a drug of dependence, possess a drug of dependence and use a drug of dependence.

She was remanded in custody to appear at the Ararat Magistrates’ Court today.

The driver, a 36-year-old Murray Bridge man, was released by police last night pending further inquiries.

Rhys said his father had been an outstanding employee at Firefly for as long as he could remember.

“Growing up, my father always told me that he was responsible for all the lives on each of his bus rides and he took pride in that,’ he said.

“He was a true gentlemen, loved his job and was very professional with everything he did in regards to his work.

“Our memories shared will be cherished for a lifetime and from the deepest depths of my heart (Emil) will be forever loved … he will be missed by many.”

Police at the scene of the bus crash. Picture: David Caird

The 60-year-old died after his Melbourne-bound coach smashed into an overturned B-double in Victoria’s northwest on Thursday morning.

A Major Collision Investigation Unit probe is underway following the high-impact smash which left 45 bus passengers in hospital. Mr Pich died at the scene.

Dashi Salihovski, a friend of Mr Pich’s and co-worker at Firefly bus company more than 15 years, said he was one of the longest serving and most experienced drivers for the company.

“He was a genuine bloke who was out there to help … a smiling, fun, loveable character,” Mr Salihovski said.

“Passengers who I’ve had in the past always asked about him and asked when he was working next … there was not a bad thing about him at all.”

Mr Salihovski said Emil’s heroic driving was a testament to his character.

“It’s outstanding he saved all of those people on board, but just so tragic he lost his own life.

“I guarantee he’ll be missed very much.”

Family friend Lindita Jashari, who was also trained by Mr Pich when she completed work experience at Firefly, said she was “shattered” when she received a phone call this morning containing news of the accident.

“It’s just a tragedy. Emil was a good driver and a great person,” she said.

Mr Pich has been fondly remembered by friends and colleagues. Picture: Facebook

He died after his bus collided with a overturned B-double on the Western Highway. Picture: Facebook

“My father and Emil were very close friends and he was close to the family. He would have done absolutely anything he could have to save those people who were on the bus with him.”

Firefly Company General Manager Frank Bono said staff were “absolutely devastated” to hear news of the accident.

“Emil had been a long standing team member of Firefly … a driver who had more than 25 years of experience driving the interstate and intrastate services operated by the company,” he said.

“Emil was a valued member of our team and his passing and the incident is having a considerable impact on all concerned after the loss of our team member and friend.”

Mr Bono said the exact details of the incident are yet to be confirmed and the company was assisting police.

“Our primary and most immediate concerns are for the family of our deceased team member, and our thoughts are now focused on his family, the passengers and in assisting the rest of our team with counselling and support,” he said.

Dozens of bus passengers were treated after the crash. Picture: David Caird

LUCKY MORE WEREN’T SERIOUSLY HURT

Detective Sergeant Chris Hayes said the B-double truck, carrying tinned goods, was being driven by a 36-year-old man from Murray Bridge in South Australia.

He had a 22-year-old woman from South Australia in the front cabin. Both were uninjured and are assisting investigators.

Det Sgt Hayes said drugs, alcohol, driver distraction and speed will be investigated as possible factors leading to the fatal tragedy.

“Especially with heavy vehicles, we look into the nature of the load, condition of the truck and the chain of responsibility obligations for the trucking company and those who engaged them to transport,” he said.

He warned truck drivers they must take responsibility on the roads.

“While they are driving those trucks, they are at work. They are responsible for the truck’s condition and how they conduct themselves on the road. That includes the management of load, speed they travel at and distractions they may encounter in the cabin,” he said.

Mr Pich died while driving this bus. Picture: Twitter/@tpwkelly

Det Sgt Hayes said it was extremely lucky more people were not killed or seriously hurt.

“We are looking at the actions the driver took when he encountered this situation,” he said.

“Sadly it’s had a horrible outcome for him but the potential for further death and serious injury is enormous. I can’t overstate it.”

Emergency services rushed to the Western Highway at Pimpinio, 15km north of Horsham, after reports of the violent crash and found the bus pinned to the truck.

It had smashed into the B-double not long after the truck’s trailers became dislodged, blocking both lanes of the highway.

Police are investigating the circumstances of the fatal crash, but officers believe the Firefly coach was unable to avoid the truck.

“We do believe the bus driver took evasive action to avoid the collision, but he simply couldn’t due to the position of trailers on the road,” Detective Acting Snr Sgt Andrew Lawrence said.

The truck’s spilt load was strewn on the ground. Picture: David Caird

COMMUNITY RALLIES AROUND VICTIMS

The bus was close to capacity and holding up to 50 passengers travelling from Adelaide, and was due to arrive at Southern Cross Station about 7am Thursday morning.

Two crash victims were flown from the scene and taken to hospital in Melbourne, including a man aged in his 40s who is being treated for leg injuries at Royal Melbourne Hospital and a woman aged in her 60s who is being treated for arm injuries at Alfred Hospital.

More than 40 passengers, ranging from teenagers to the elderly aged in their 70s, remain at Wimmera Base Hospital as they wait for their luggage to be offloaded from the crash site.

Hospital director of medical services Alan Wolff said some passengers had already left the hospital earlier for important appointments or hospital transfers, including an 18-year-old boy who was transported to the Alfred this afternoon due to orthopaedic injuries.

“Forty-eight passengers from the bus came through this hospital from about 4.15am this morning … we call them the walking wounded. Most of them thankfully with minor injuries,” he said on Thursday.

Traumatised patients on the roadside. Picture: Twitter/@tpwkelly

“A number of people needed scans and X-rays … with another requiring further treatment in Melbourne.

“One needed to get to Tasmania for an exam which his visa depended on and another had an appointment with the Australian embassy.”

Mr Wolff said there was a significant number of young children on board the service.

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“One minute they’re asleep on a bus and the next the bus has crashed and they’re being brought out by emergency services,” he said.

“After a high-speed crash, the passengers are in a state of shock … Our social team is doing a great job providing them with warmth, food and extra support.”

Firefly buses operate across Australia’s southeast, offering express fares connecting Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

The Firefly overnight bus left Adelaide about 8.15pm.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.