‘I think we would’ve died’: Passenger unveils grim truth about Westgate bus fire

A passenger onboard the bus that caught on fire on the Westgate Bridge has detailed how the situation could have ended in tragedy.

A bus caught on fire on the Westgate Bridge in Melbourne on Monday night. Picture: Twitter / Reddit

Three people are lucky to be alive after a bus travelling on Melbourne’s Westgate Bridge became engulfed in flames on Monday evening – just days after trains resumed running on nine major lines.

Emergency services arrived at the bridge’s outbound lane just after 6pm where they found the bus believed to be the 232 service which travels from Altona North to the City, fully alight.

Fortunately, the two passengers and the driver had managed to escape the vehicle before it erupted into flames, with firefighters managing to extinguish the blaze 20 minutes after their arrival.

It’s not clear what sparked the diesel-powered vehicle to catch on fire, with investigations still underway to determine the cause.

While no one was hurt, one person claiming to be one of the passengers said if the incident occurred this time last week – the situation could have been a lot worse.

Just two days ago, several train lines wrapped up about two weeks’ worth of track works, which meant more commuters could use train services opposed to buses for their commute to and from the city.

Prior to this, a number of train-replacement bus services were brought in to make up for trains not running on the Cranbourne, Pakenham, Sunbury, Upfield, Frankston, Craigieburn, Werribee, Williamstown and Stony Point lines.

Consequently, buses were mostly at capacity with commuters particularly at peak-hour periods, with a photo captured less than a fortnight ago showing dozens of commuters waiting to board buses at Dandenong Station after trains ceased operation temporarily due to a police incident.

Commuters were left lining up for meters just to get on a replacement bus at Dandenong station. Picture: Reddit @currentlyontrain

If the bus had been at full capacity when it caught fire on Monday night, one of the passengers onboard claims there’d likely have been casualties.

“I was on the 232 bus going home from work along with other passengers and the driver,” the commuter said in a post to Reddit.

“A car started honking behind us and shortly after the entire bus filled with smoke.”

The passenger claimed the bus driver quickly stopped the vehicle before insisting that everyone evacuate.

“I was in the back and tried to go for the rear exit which wasn’t open and bashed the sh*t out of my knee trying to force it before realising the front was. Dumb panic moment of me I know,” she said.

“Seconds after we got off the bus the entire thing was engulfed in flames. It proceeded to let off several fiery explosions and was completely melted.”

Two passengers and a driver escaped the vehicle before it became engulfed in flames. Picture: Facebook

It was then the chilling reality sunk in for the passenger, who thought: “any other day, I think we would’ve died”.

“This is the first day in weeks the bus wasn’t fully packed due to the train rerouting sh*t. We 100 per cent would not get out in time,” they concluded.

“So bottom line, sit as close as possible to the doors and buses suck!”

The fire caused traffic mayhem with the outbound lanes of the Westgate Bridge closing, causing heavy delays. VicRoads advised motorists to avoid the area until later on in the night when the lanes were gradually reopened.

The female passenger said she managed to make it home safely after her partner picked her up from the incident site.

The bus was powered by diesel, with investigations now underway to find what caused the fire. Picture: Facebook

Kinetic, the bus company responsible for the vehicle, praised the driver of the 232 bus in a statement applauding them for their efforts.

“We praise the driver for safely evacuating the three passengers and himself swiftly, and immediately contacting emergency services. No injuries were reported,” it read.

“Kinetic is cooperating with authorities to determine the cause of the fire. The vehicle was a diesel powered bus.”

The incident occurred on the Westgate Bridge. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Despite the frightening experience and a dislike of buses, the commuter said she will return to travelling by bus later this week.

“I’ll have to later this week for my job. I just started two weeks ago and can’t miss much. I can’t say I’m looking forward to it,” she said. “I honestly already really hated buses, now so even more!”

Most train services have since resumed following track removal works over the last two weeks, just in time for the return to school for term three.

Additionally, Andrew Crook, the spokesperson for the Victorian Department of Transport, said more than 180 extra train and tram services will be added to the public transport timetable for AFL matches and the Metro Comic Con at the Melbourne Showgrounds.

“Buses will still run on the Frankston line until August as works continue on the level crossing removal in Glen Huntly so please factor that into your commute and check the PTV app before you travel,” he said.