Backpackers’ bus crash
A SEMI and a minibus collided on the Bruce Highway between Home Hill and Bowen, leaving nine young backpackers injured.
Early police investigations indicate both vehicles were travelling south about 6.45am yesterday when the van began to turn right on to Tondara Rd and was struck by the truck.
Two people were flown, and another two taken by road, to Townsville Hospital. A man, 22, and three women, aged 21, 24 and 26, were in a stable condition. Five others were sent to Ayr Hospital. The truck driver was uninjured.
The backpackers’ injuries included spinal, chest, pelvic and internal injuries.
Bowen- Gumlu Growers Association president Carl Walker said the injured backpackers were on their way to work picking fruit on farms.
“We’re trying to work with the farmers involved, they’re obviously upset,” he said.
Mr Walker said the association was working to establish support strategies for the injured backpackers and the farmers they were working for.
“We’ll assist the farmers wherever we can and we’ll assist the kids who need some support,” he said.
“They’re a long way from home and they’re someone’s kids. They’ll be in hospital by themselves alone and scared.”
Mr Walker said the accident highlighted the need for crash hot spots on the Bruce Highway to be addressed.
“There’s all these small communities with poor access on and off the highway,” he said. “It’s fine spending hundreds of millions in the city, but don’t forget about people in regional communities.
“There’s so many black spots that people in regional and rural areas just put up with because no one will fund it.”
Burdekin MP Dale Last said the incident highlighted how vigilant drivers needed to be on the Bruce Highway.
“It’s an issue I’ve raised with the Transport Department and it’s something they’re having a look at,” he said.
The highway was blocked for more than three hours as emergency services worked to free the trapped workers and clear the crash scene.
A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said fire crews used hydraulic rescue equipment to access people in the wreckage.
Queensland Ambulance senior operations supervisor Wayne Paxton urged all road users to pay attention and drive to the conditions as many make the long journey home during the end of the school holidays.
“Mind the speed limits, don’t speed and be very careful,” Mr Paxton said.
“Don’t overtake if it’s not safe and take your time, leave a little bit earlier.”
The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.