Major crash detectives still investigating tour bus tragedy which killed one, injured several others

A horror tour bus crash, which killed one and injured several others, is still being investigated by detectives from the Northern Territory’s Major Crash Investigation Unit, NT Police have revealed.

UPDATE, THURS JUNE 23: A horror tour bus crash, which killed one tourist and injured several others, is still being investigated by detectives from the Northern Territory’s Major Crash Investigation Unit, NT Police have revealed.

The bus was believed to be carrying 21 people when it crashed about 130km from Alice Springs on Monday, June 6 about 3.30pm.

Police are stilll searching for any witnesses, or anyone with any knowledge, of the deadly tour bus rollover which sparked a major emergency services response, with ambulance, police and fire services units, all rushing from Alice Springs to the crash site, about 80 minutes away.

UPDATE, THURS JUNE 16:

ONE woman remains in a stable condition following the tour bus crash that claimed the life of a man in the Red Centre.

Ten days on from the fatal incident, three other patients taken to Alice Springs Hospital have since been discharged.

A 60-year-old woman has been moved from the intensive care unit to the general ward.

Meanwhile, NT Police confirmed that the investigations into the crash were “ongoing”.

POLICE CALL FOR INFORMATION AND WITNESSES

POLICE are searching for any witnesses in relation to a tour bus which horrifically rolled, killing one passengers and injuring several others, in Central Australia on Monday.

The emergency services through the night to rescue and treat passengers from the vehicle which rolled 5km east of Hermannsburg.

The Major Crash Investigation Unit is now seeking witnesses who saw the tour bus in the area prior to the crash.

“Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the cause of the crash are ongoing,” Constable First Class Jeremy Cross said.

“As part of a comprehensive investigation, we’d like to speak with anyone who witnessed the tour bus in the area of Hermannsburg on the afternoons of June 5 or June 6 before the fatal crash.”

Anyone with information particularly dashcam or video footage which can assist with police investigations into the fatal crash is urged to contact police on 131 444.

Or they can report it anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersnt.com.au.

‘CONFRONTING’ TOUR BUS CRASH SCENE

A MAN’S adventure to the Red Centre of Australia has ended in tragedy as police investigate a “confronting” tour bus rollover.

Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Schumacher confirmed Major Crash investigators had remained at the scene of the crash overnight and into Tuesday morning after the tour bus rolled on Larapinta Dr, Hermannsburg, Ntaria on Monday afternoon.

“They were doing a day tour out of Alice Springs and were on their way back,” Sgt Schumacher said.

He said the bus rolled during the fatal crash at 3.30pm on Monday June 6.

Sgt Schumacher confirmed a 69-year-old interstate tourist was killed while 18 other passengers were assessed by paramedics.

He said the man’s family had been contacted.

NT Health confirmed 20 people were treated in the Alice Springs Hospital Emergency Department following the fatal rollover.

A spokesman said four patients remained in hospital, with one 67-year-old woman in the intensive care unit in a serious but stable condition.

He said a 70-year-old woman, a 62-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man remain in hospital all in a serious but stable condition.

Sgt Schumacher said everyone on board was treated, stating “the level of injury varies”.

He said the driver was assessed but was not admitted to hospital.

The scene of the crash and one of the passenger’s gruesome injuries. Pictures: Daniel Sumpton, Joshua Clements

Sgt Schumacher said the next stage of the investigation would be to determine a cause of the crash.

“The matter has got to be investigated,” he said.

“It takes a while to analyse the evidence that we have got.

“They still have a number of inquiries to do.”

Sgt Schumacher said he was not aware of faults on the sealed road but road issues would form part of the investigation.

“They’ll look at the dynamics of the crash, the dynamics of the road surface … fatigue issues, they’ll be looking at the background …(and) they’ll look at toxicology,” he said.

Sgt Schumacher said while seatbelts were installed, he was not certain all passengers were wearing them.

He said there was no evidence yet to suggest an animal or other vehicle contributed to the crash.

The bus following the crash near Hermannsburg. Picture: Joshua Clements

Sgt Schumacher said it was “far to early to speculate” if charges would be made.

He said appropriate mental health supports would be made available to the large team of first responders.

“Fatal crashes are confronting,” he said

“It’s terrible, it’s a terrible tragedy.”

FIVE PASSENGERS SERIOUSLY INJURED

POLICE have confirmed five people suffered serious injuries, with one in intensive care, following a tour bus crash near Hermannsburg on Monday afternoon.

The bus carrying 19 interstate passengers was travelling east of the community when it left the road and rolled several times.

A 69-year-old man died at the scene.

Five other passengers, including three women aged 62, 67 and 70, were taken to the Alice Springs Hospital with serious injuries.

The 67-year-old is in ICU in a stable condition.

A 60-year-old man was taken to the hospital with serious injuries and a 68-year-old man was treated for minor injuries.

The driver and remaining passengers suffered cuts and bruising.

They were taken to Alice Springs.

Major Crash and NT WorkSafe are investigating.

21 PEOPLE ON TOUR BUS THAT CRASHED

FIVE passengers were transferred to the Alice Springs Hospital from the scene of a 4WD tour bus crash, 5km east of Hermannsburg on Monday afternoon.

St John NT operations manager Craig Garraway said two of the injured passengers were transported to hospital via the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

“The current information I have on it and I believe police have already reported it is that there were approximately 21 people on that bus,” Mr Garraway said.

“Quite a big incident down there for our paramedics.

“Police will be reviewing all of that at the moment and I’m sure the police will give a further update during the day on what occurred at that incident.”

Speaking on Mix 104.9, Tourism Central Australia chief executive Danial Rochford said the tragic incident had sent shockwaves through Alice Springs.

Mr Rochford confirmed the 4WD bus was returning from a national park, on its way back to Alice Springs.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families involved in this tragic accident,” he said.

“We’re all family here, we all know one another and this is a difficult situation for everyone.

“What I know is the company involved has put all the resources they have available into supporting their passengers and their staff in this difficult time.”

MAN DIES IN TOUR BUS CRASH

A MAN has died and several passengers injured in a tour bus crash in Central Australia.

Northern Territory Police confirmed on Monday evening they were at the scene of a fatal bus crash, 5km east of Hermannsburg, Ntaria.

The bus was believed to be carrying about 20 people when it crashed on Raberaba Cct at 3.28pm on Monday.

Police said a man died at the scene, while a number of passengers were injured in the crash.

Emergency services received a report of the crash about 3.30pm, with NT Police, Fire and Rescue Service and St John Ambulance NT responding.

Injured passengers were taken to the local clinic, with additional medical staff travelling in from Alice Springs, 127km east of the community.

Police urged motorists to be aware of emergency vehicles in the area and to follow all directions.

Officers said heavy vehicles should consider using Namatjira Dr.

NT Police Major Crash Investigation Unit and NT WorkSafe are investigating the circumstances of the crash.

BUS CRASH BLOCKS MAIN ROAD

EMERGENCY services are heading to the scene of a bus crash in Central Australia.

NT Police confirmed emergency services personnel were responding to reports of a bus crash 5km east of Hermannsburg.

They asked motorists to be aware of emergency vehicles operating in the area.

The road crash, 127km west of Alice Springs, was initially reported at 3.28pm.