Gumlu: Greyhound bus driver charged over Bruce Highway crash that killed three passengers

A Greyhound bus driver has been charged over a horrific crash that left three people dead and several others injured.

Police say the 52-year-old North Ward man was driving on Queensland’s Bruce Highway on June 3 with 33 people aboard when the bus veered onto the wrong side of the road and hit a Landcruiser station wagon towing a caravan travelling in the opposite direction.

Three people on the bus died at the scene: two German women aged 33 and 21 and a Townsville woman, 56.

A number of other passengers were also injured.

The impact of the crash forced the bus off the road and it came to a stop on adjacent train tracks.

After the crash, Queensland Premier Steven Miles said: “I want to express my sympathies to those affected by that awful bus crash.

“I’m sure every single Queenslander is thinking of the families of those who have died, those who are currently being treated at our hospitals and our first responders who, I’m told, arrived to just awful scenes.”

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli raised safety concerns about the Bruce Highway, with the crash reportedly marking the third major incident in a fortnight.

“There needs to be a proper plan that ensures that we work towards fixing that road,” he said.

“It’s not up to standard. I don’t believe there’s a Queenslander who thinks it is.”

Greyhound Australia said it was “heartbroken” by the tragic incident.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to those involved and their families and friends,” it said in a statement.

Police arrested the bus driver on Tuesday and charged him with five counts of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death or grievous bodily harm.

He appeared before Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday and is due to reappear at Bowen Magistrates Court on September 24.