The driver of a Greyhound bus involved in a horrific head-on highway crash that left three dead has been charged.
A 51-year-old man has been charged over the June 30 crash where a Greyhound bus collided with a 4WD towing a caravan on the Bruce Highway in far north Queensland.
The man, who lives in Townsville, faces five counts of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death or grievous bodily harm after being arrested on Tuesday.
Two German women, aged 21 and 33, and a 56-year-old Townsville woman on board the bus died at the scene as a result of the crash that happened at Gumlu, north of Bowen.
In July the 21-year-old crash victim was named as Aliya Tonga while the 56-year-old was identified as grandmother Emma ‘Alli’ Sailor.
A further 27 passengers were injured, including three men who were rushed to hospital with in a serious condition while those in the 4WD emerged unscathed.
Queensland police allege the bus, which was carrying 33 passengers, strayed to the wrong side of the road causing the collision.
“The bus allegedly crossed onto the wrong side of the road and struck a Landcruiser station wagon travelling in the opposite direction, which was towing a caravan,” a police statement read.
The wreckage of a Greyhound bus which hit a 4WD on the Bruce Highway in far north Queensland on June 30
German woman Aliya Tonga, 21, was one of three women who died in the horrific bus crash
Following the crash Ms Tonga’sh cousin flew to Australia on behalf of the family in a bid to find out more about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Ms Tonga’s body was repatriated back to Germany, where she was laid to rest in her hometown of Wesel on July 18.
Ms Sailor was a mother-of-four and grandmother-of-eight, who was returning home from Brisbane with her daughter and four grandchildren.
Her family said her husband of 19 years was ‘beside himself’.
‘We will miss her presence and smile,’ the family told reporters.
As a result of the crash three women on board the bus lost their lives with three men rushed to hospital with serious injuries
‘It comes as a huge shock to our family [and] we’re still grieving.
‘She was a beautiful church woman, she never hurt anyone, [she was] very strong.
‘She went out of her way to give the shirt off her back to anyone. She was loved and supported by her grandchildren and immediate family.
‘We’re thankful to everyone for their wishes and condolences.’
Shocking photos from the aftermath show the cabin of the caravan embedded into the front of the bus, which had been pushed onto nearby train tracks.
The bus was heading from Brisbane to Townsville with 33 onboard.
Mackay Whitsunday Forensic Crash Unit officer in charge Sergeant Michael Hollett previously said initial police investigations indicated the bus had veered into the opposite lane of traffic.
He said the incident unfolded ‘quickly’ and the driver of the 4WD ‘did what he could’ but was unable to prevent the crash.
Emma ‘Alli’ Sailor a mother-of-four and grandmother-of-eight was killed alongside two German nationals in their 20s and 30s
Greyhound Australia CEO Dan Smith said the company was ‘heartbroken’ that three people lost their lives and several others were injured in the collision.
‘This is a tragic incident and our deepest sympathies go out to those involved and their families and friends,’ he said.
‘We are working closely with authorities to assist them with their investigation in understanding the course of events that have led to this accident. We are also providing support to members of our team impacted by this tragedy.
‘We will provide further updates as more information becomes available and ask that you respect the privacy of those involved at this extremely difficult time.’
The driver was due to front Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday, and is next scheduled to appear at Bowen Magistrates Court on September 24.
