Brisbane bus fire: Driver who died identified as Manmeet Sharma

THE Brisbane bus driver killed in a fire at Moorooka has been identified, as friends arrive at the scene to pay tribute.

• Live coverage of fatal bus blaze
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THE Brisbane bus driver killed in a fire at Moorooka this morning has been identified as Manmeet Sharma, a beloved Indian singer well known in the Punjabi community.

An industry colleague said Mr Sharma was a prominent figure in the Punjabi community in Australia, going by the stage name Manmeet Alisha, and was known as a soft-spoken, courteous and genuine man.

Friends of the 29-year-old have arrived at the crime scene on Beaudesert Rd to pay their respects to Mr Sharma, who was killed after a boarding passenger threw an incendiary device at him that started a fire. It was initially reported he had been doused in petrol.

Manmeet Sharma died in the bus blaze.

Manmeet Sharma is being mourned by friends.

One man, who said his brother had become close with Mr Sharma at community events in recent years, said the victim had only recently started driving buses.

“He was a great person, he had only just got back into town,” the man said.

“Everyone knows him in the community, we are all in shock as to what happened — I’ve never heard or seen of anything like what has happened here.”

Mr Sharma also starred in short films posted on YouTube under the name Aman Banghoo, some based on his former occupation as a taxi driver.

A 48-year-old man suspected of Mr Sharma’s death remains under police watch in hospital.

Police at the crime scene on Beaudesert Rd, Moorooka. Pic: Tara Croser

Originally published as Brisbane bus fire: Driver who died identified as Manmeet Sharma