Bus veers down bank

TOUR bus passengers who crashed down an embankment in the Gold Coast Hinterland are counting their lucky stars.

The 18 tourists, including two children, were on a glow worm tour from O’Reilly’s Retreat near Canungra on Sunday night when the mini bus rolled 20 metres down an embankment.

The driver, a 28-year-old man, was trapped for two hours before crews could free him and fly him to Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition.

Six passengers, including a 10-year-old child, were also hospitalised but discharged yesterday morning.

Passengers said they clung to the roof upside down while children screamed as the bus plunged down the mountain.

They feared the bus could continue to roll down and couldn’t believe their luck when it stopped.

The group managed to exit the wrecked vehicle and seek help at the retreat.

Brendan Long, from O’Reilly’s Retreat, said it was an “extraordinary” accident.

“It’s a good track, we do it every night,” he said.

“It’s extraordinary something like this has occurred.”

After paramedics spent five hours at the scene, officials said it was lucky most walked away with just minor injuries.