EXCLUSIVE
An elderly couple who narrowly escaped death after a Greyhound bus veered into their lane have “lost everything” after their caravan was completely destroyed in the crash, a friend has revealed.
The couple left Townsville on Sunday morning in their four-wheel drive, towing a caravan, and were travelling south on the Bruce Highway when they collided with the bus near Gumlu, in north Queensland, at around 11am.
While the ‘heroic’ male 4WD driver managed to steer his vehicle out of the way – saving the couple’s lives and the lives of many bus passengers – the bus ploughed into their caravan, sending huge chunks of metal flying through the right front window.
Three bus passengers – 56-year-old Townsville woman Emma ‘Alli’ Sailor and two German tourists in their 20s and 30s – died at the scene, while 27 others on board were injured. The bus driver also miraculously survived with serious injuries.
Lesley Santana, a friend of the elderly couple, told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that they were “doing well under the circumstances”.
‘[They are in] “It was more of a shock than anything,” she said.
They have lost everything, [the] caravan is broken down… No clothes, medicines etc.
Pictured: The crumpled remains of a caravan were left in front of the Greyhound bus after the crash
“But they are grateful to be alive, just like us.”
Meanwhile, new details have emerged about the carnage that aid workers encountered at the scene.
Nurses Cassandra and Mark Thomas, who travelled north from Cairns for a holiday, were among the first to arrive at the scene.
“I have seen many terrible things over the years with the RFS and as a nurse, but the carnage on that bus is something I will never forget,” Mr Thomas said.
The update comes after witnesses protestedised the older male 4WD driver for his quick reaction to the approaching bus, which they say saved the lives of other motorists.
“He was a hero for his actions,” Janice Beavis said.
‘She [the elderly couple] behaved safely. The bus hit the van, the driver [of the 4WD] tried to get away.
‘[He] He saved himself, his wife and the mother and three girls who were traveling behind him.’
The bus was travelling between Brisbane and Townsville with 33 people on board and was reportedly running behind schedule.
Police are investigating whether fatigue played a role in the fatal collision.
Accident Officer and Mackay Whitsunday Forensic Crash Unit Sergeant Michael Hollett said initial police investigations indicated the bus had veered into the opposite lane.
The three women who died and 27 injured passengers were all on the bus, while the people in the 4WD were unharmed.
He said the incident happened “quickly” and the driver of the 4WD “did what he could” but could not avoid the crash.
Greyhound Australia CEO Dan Smith said the company was “heartbroken” at the loss of three people and the fact that several others were injured in the collision.
“This is a tragic incident and our deepest condolences go out to those involved and their families and friends,” he said.
‘We are working closely with the authorities to assist them with their investigation into the sequence of events that led to this accident. We are also providing support to members of our team who have been affected by this tragedy.
“We will update you as more information becomes available. We ask that you respect the privacy of those involved during this extremely difficult time.”
Investigators believe the Greyhound bus likely ended up in the path of a car towing a caravan
The horrific crash caused major delays on the Bruce Highway, which was closed in both directions
Queensland Police Commissioner Graeme Paine said investigators would continue to interview witnesses as they determine the cause of the crash.
“We have collected a significant amount of evidence from the scene. As we process that evidence and interview more witnesses, we expect to get a clearer picture of exactly how it happened,” he told Sunrise on Monday morning.
‘I would also like to acknowledge the role played by the public at the scene in helping and treating some of the injured.
‘It was a very important and confronting incident.
“In any incident like this, the initial response is very chaotic and very complex. Being in a situation like this is incredibly challenging.”
Shocking pictures of the aftermath show the cabin of the caravan wedged into the front of the bus, which had been pushed onto a nearby railway line.
The speed limit on the Bruce Highway where the accident occurred was 100 km/h.
The Bruce Highway is over 1,670 kilometres long and runs from Brisbane to Cairns. It is a major transport route for freight, local communities and other motorists.
For years, the road has been plagued by safety concerns, congestion, flooding and funding issues, claiming hundreds of lives.
From 2020 to 2023, the Bruce Highway claimed 134 lives. Between the beginning of this year and April, nine people died.
The tragedy has led to renewed calls for major improvements to the deadly road, with the region’s mayor saying the accident could have been prevented.