Devastated family of German tourist killed in Greyhound bus crash search for answers

The heartbroken cousin of a German national killed in a horror Greyhound bus crash in north Queensland has travelled to Australia seeking answers on behalf of her family.

The family of a German woman killed in a horror Bruce Hwy Greyhound bus crash are desperately seeking answers over her death.

The German embassy confirmed in June two of the three women killed in the Greyhound bus crash in North Queensland were German nationals. A total of 33 people were aboard when it crashed en route to Townsville.

Emma ‘Alli’ Sailor, 56, of Townsville and two German women were killed in the crash.

Dozens were also injured when the bus allegedly drifted onto the wrong side of the highway, colliding with a caravan being towed by a four-wheel drive at Gumlu just after 11am on June 30.

Aliya Tonga is a German national who was killed in a Greyhound bus crash.

The Courier-Mail can now reveal the identity of one of the German nationals killed in the crash, Aliya Tonga, 21, who was travelling from Brisbane on the bus. Aliya’s family is now seeking answers, months after the crash.

Aliya’s body was repatriated back to Germany, where she was laid to rest in her hometown of Wesel on July 18.

The family is hoping to connect with other passengers involved in the crash or seek any witnesses who may be able to answer some of their questions.

Aliya’s cousin Dilan Gungor was in Australia seven years ago, and has returned seeking answers over her cousin’s death.

Photographs taken in the immediate aftermath of a horror fatal Greyhound passenger bus crash at Gumlu on the Bruce Highway. Picture: Supplied

“I was in Australia seven years ago with a working holiday visa. Three-and-a-half weeks ago, I returned, but for a different reason,” Ms Gungor said. “My 21-year-old cousin Aliya was on a Greyhound bus on her way to Townsville on June 30. Aliya did not survive. Her parents have endless questions.”

Aliya’s family told The Courier-Mail they are seeking information on the crash.

A survivor told The Courier-Mail that the bus was running behind schedule, leaving Rockhampton at 2am instead of the planned departure time at 12.45am.

Aliya Tonga.

Queensland Ambulance Service Townsville senior operations supervisor Ray Hardy said when he arrived on scene, he could see a red Greyhound bus parked across the trainline about 20m from the highway.

“The driver’s side and probably back a good five or six feet from there had been totally destroyed,” he said.

“The caravan had exploded down the highway.”

A Queensland Police spokeswoman said investigations are ongoing and no charges have been laid.

Greyhound Australia told The Courier-Mail they are working with police.

Originally published as Devastated family of German tourist killed in Greyhound bus crash search for answers