Bowls trip ends in fatal tragedy

AN annual bowling tournament has ended in tragedy in regional Victoria after a bus crashed, leaving one dead and five fighting for life.

The driver lost control of the coach carrying 29 passengers yesterday afternoon, swerving off the Sunraysia Highway near Avoca and rolling down an embankment, police say.

The bus was travelling from Mildura to Ballarat carrying a group of bowls players who had been at an annual threeday tournament.

One of the passengers, believed to be a woman, died at the scene. Five people are in a critical condition, two have been flown to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne.

Three were taken to Ballarat by road.

A third person was also flown to The Royal Melbourne Hospital in a serious condition with chest injuries.

Meanwhile 12 others were taken to Ballarat and Bendigo, also in a serious condition.

A relief centre has been opened at the Avoca Senior Citizens Centre and 15 people have been taken there in a stable condition with minor cuts and bruises.

The Ballarat District Bowls Division said the driver of the bus is the vice chairman of the club.

“I personally know the driver. He’s one of our club members and he’s really well respected,” John Holt, BDBD secretary told reporters yesterday.

“Thank god he’s alright but I feel really sorry for the young girl who passed away and also the people who are injured.” Major crash police will remain on scene for most of the night and parts of the Sunraysia Highway were closed for some time, police said.

Ballarat Coachlines, which operates the bus, has been contacted for comment but is yet to reply.