NT WorkSafe charge Emu Run Tours over 2022 Hermannsburg bus crash

Multiple charges have been laid against an Alice Springs tour company in relation to a horrific bus crash that killed one passenger and injured many others.

The scene of a tour bus crash near Hermannsburg in Central Australia. Picture: Daniel Sumpton

NT WorkSafe has laid multiple charges against the operators of a tour bus company after concluding investigations into a fatal 2022 bus crash.

Alice Springs tour company Emu Run Tours, company director Patrick Joseph Bedford and mechanic Ian Matthew Jackson have been charged in relation to the fatal crash in June 2022.

The tour bus was carrying two workers and 19 passengers on a return trip to Alice Springs from a national park when a tyre blew out along Larapinta Drive 5km outside Hermannsburg.

The driver lost control of the vehicle and the bus overturned resulting in the death of a 69-year-old man and injuries to the remaining occupants.

NT WorkSafe and NT Police investigations found the tour bus had been significantly modified, with the vehicle’s configuration changed from six wheels to four.

The scene of a tour bus crash near Hermannsburg in Central Australia. Picture: Daniel Sumpton

WorkSafe alleges the modifications would have impacted the safe operation of the vehicle, and had not been assessed or approved in accordance with Engineering and Vehicle standards requirements.

They will also allege the tyres fitted to the vehicle after modifications had been made were not used in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.

The watchdog charged Emu Run Tours Pty Ltd with four breaches of the Work Health and Safety Act for breaching its primary duty of care for failing to ensure the health and safety of its workers and passengers.

Those charges included exposing other road users to a health and safety risk and failing to comply with its health and safety duties.

If found guilty the company faces a maximum combined penalty of a $5m fine.

Mr Bedford was charged as an officer with failing to exercise due diligence resulting in workers being injured, passengers being injured or killed and road users being exposed to a work health and safety risk.

He was also charged with failing to comply with his health and safety duty that required he exercise due diligence to ensure Emu Run Tours complied with work health and safety laws.

If found guilty he faces up to a $1m fine.

Mr Jackson was charged as a worker with failing to ensure his actions or commission did not affect the health and safety of others resulting in workers and passengers being injured or killed and other road users being exposed to risk.

If found guilty he faces up to a $500,000 fine.

No pleas have been entered.

The case will appear for a mention at the Darwin Local Court on July 2.

Police conclude investigation into tragic Hermannsburg bus crash

Police investigations into a fatal bus crash in Hermannsburg that killed a passenger and injured many other tourists has come to an end two years later.

The bus carrying 21 people was returning from a national park when it crashed 127km away from its destination of Alice Springs on June 7, 2022.

A 69-year-old man died at the scene, while five other passengers were rushed to Alice Springs Hospital with serious injuries shortly after the incident.

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

The driver and remaining passengers received lacerations and bruising as a result of the crash.

Detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Lindner said an extensive brief of evidence put together by Major Crash detectives had been reviewed by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The incident has been referred to NT Worksafe for further investigation.

“Detectives completed their investigation early last year which was undertaken in collaboration with WorkSafe investigators,” he said.

“The brief of evidence has been provided to WorkSafe for further action.

“The referral of evidence to WorkSafe underscores the commitment to ensuring accountability and safety in the aftermath of this incident.”