A tragic bus accident on a major Queensland highway has claimed the life of a young tourist and left several others injured. The victim has been identified as Serena Andreatta, a dual national of Argentina and Italy.
Before her journey to Australia, the 26-year-old had been exploring Southeast Asia. She was traveling on a FlixBus partner coach en route from Cairns to Airlie Beach when the vehicle veered off the road near Gumlu, approximately 135 kilometers south of Townsville.
Emergency services, including Queensland Ambulance paramedics, attended to 29 passengers, many of whom were international travelers. The bus driver, aged 70, sustained minor injuries in the incident.
Sadly, Andreatta succumbed to her injuries at the hospital, marking a somber conclusion to a journey that had taken her across continents.
Andreatta died in hospital from her injuries.
“They’re young people living their life, a trip of a lifetime in a foreign country. And to have that stripped away is just so deeply, deeply troubling,” Premier David Crisafulli said.
Two others suffered life-threatening injuries and were airlifted to hospital.
Everyone else was taken by road to hospitals in Ayr, Bowen and Townsville.
This morning, two people remain in hospital, including Andreatta’s friend.
The driver was released from Bowen hospital, but has yet to speak with authorities about the crash.
Superintendent Dean Cavanagh described the scene as confronting and complex.
The high proportion of foreign nationals on board was challenging for both the investigation and the ability of police to support the families and their loved ones, he said.
“We’ll make sure at the end of this investigation we look at not only what happened, but importantly why it happened,” he said.
The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating and has appealed for any witnesses to come forward.
Crisafulli said more needs to be done to improve safety on the notorious stretch of the state’s most vital transport route.
“I don’t think the road is up to scratch,” Crisafulli said.
“When you think that we’ve had over 40 people lose their life in a calendar year on a road like that, if that doesn’t scream the need for action then I don’t know what does.”
The safety record of FlixBus is also now under the spotlight.
The company has said that speeding was not a factor and that their driver tested clean for both drugs and alcohol, but those details have yet to be confirmed by police.
In February, a 55-year-old driver was fined for careless driving after a Flixbus drove into a paddock at Alligator Creek outside Townsville.
The company said in a statement it was “heartbroken”.
“Our thoughts are with their family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
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