Fatigue being investigated as a factor in fatal Queensland bus crash

Queensland police are investigating whether fatigue played a factor in a weekend bus crash in the state’s north that left three women dead and two men fighting for life.

The scene of a horror Greyhound bus crash on the Bruce Highway between Bowen and Townsville in north Queensland.

Queensland police are investigating whether fatigue played a factor in a weekend bus crash in the state’s north that left three women dead and two men fighting for life.

Early investigations suggest the Greyhound coach had veered onto the wrong side of the Bruce Highway at Gumlu, south of Ayr, before it collided with a four-wheel-drive towing a caravan about 11am on Sunday.

A 56-year-old Townsville resident and two German tourists, aged in their 20s and 30s, respectively, were killed in the crash which occurred in a 100km/h zone, and thrust the caravan through the bus’s windscreen and into the driver’s cabin.

Two young men, who were also among the 33 passengers on the bus, are fighting for life in Townsville University Hospital.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service’s acting chief medical officer Jason Yates confirmed the 23 and 24-year-old were in critical conditions in intensive care, but would not reveal the extent of their injuries.

Two other men, aged 51 and 27, remained in hospital in stable conditions, while three patients – a 64-year-old man and two women, aged 23 and 63 – were discharged overnight on Sunday.

Seven others received treatment for lesser injuries at Ayr.

The driver of the coach was left bloodied but otherwise uninjured, as were the two passengers of the four-wheel-drive.

Mackay Whitsunday Forensic Crash Unit officer in charge ­Sergeant Michael Hollett said it was still unclear why the northbound bus, which had been travelling from Brisbane to Townsville, was on the wrong side of the road, and that the driver of the four-wheel-drive had been unable to avoid the collision despite doing “what he could”.

In a statement, Greyhound Australia chief executive Dan Smith said the crash was “a tragic incident and our deepest sympathies go out to those involved and their families and friends”.

“We are working closely with authorities to assist them with their investigation in understanding the course of events that led to this accident,” Mr Smith said.

“We are also providing support to members of our team impacted by this tragedy.”

State Burdekin MP Dale Last said the crash occurred on a stretch of the Bruce Highway that had a single lane in each direction, and “there is a bend right where it happened”.

“It is in urgent need of a major injection of funds,” Mr Last said of the highway.

“What they’ve allocated at the state and federal budgets is a ­pittance; it wouldn’t fix the potholes on the Bruce Highway, let alone do the upgrades that are ­required …

“The Bruce Highway is the major artery for the east coast of Queensland and the further north you go, the more important it gets ... It’s long overdue for some ­significant funding and a real commitment.”

Mr Last commended the medical response to the crash, which he said highlighted the need for a fully staffed and funded regional health hub.