Bus driver's heartache after crash
"A 40-YEAR veteran bus driver" is how Crisps Coaches owner Russell Crisp has described the man behind the wheel of the bus which collided with Chloe McVeigh's VW Beetle at Braeside.
Mr Crisp yesterday spoke of the heartache felt by his driver in the aftermath of the collision that left three teenagers injured, on the way home from an enjoyable day of sport.
While reluctant to pre-empt the outcome of the police investigation into the crash or speculate on the events immediately beforehand, Mr Crisp said his driver found himself confronted by a van in the process of swerving to avoid Chloe's stationary vehicle.
"There was an embankment to his left which, had he swerved that way would have caused him to flip the bus over, with 50 people inside," Mr Crisp said.
"The van driver managed to get out of the way but unfortunately the bus wasn't quite as manoeuvrable."
Mr Crisp said in the circumstances, with no prospect of braking, his driver had no choice but to collide with the rear of Chloe's vehicle.
"We had some extensive conversations about it and he was very shaken up," he said.
"In the end we believe what he did was the best option and that he has done the right thing at the time.
"Had he swerved the other way he could have pushed (Chloe's) vehicle into the path of oncoming traffic."
Mr Crisp said the driver had previously worked for Greyhound and McCafferty's and the bus itself had only recently passed its mandatory six-monthly inspection.
He said the driver had come to terms with the horrific incident and would be back at work on Monday, having had a couple of rostered days' off owing and not required to work at weekends.
"He's just a very professional driver, and he and our company really feel for the kids involved, our hearts are with them and their families," Mr Crisp said.
A Queensland Police Media spokesman yesterday said the investigation into the crash was ongoing and as such it would be inappropriate to comment at this time on the likely cause.
Initial reports from the scene were that Chloe's vehicle was observed to be about to engage in a u-turn but police have not confirmed this.
