Shock CCTV footage has revealed a veteran Brisbane bus driver rushing to help a trapped motorist after her car crossed a median strip and became wedged in the side of his bus.
The bus was out of service and stopped at a red light at the intersection of Beaudesert and Granard roads in Rocklea.
A blue Toyota Yaris was catapulted into the air after it swerved to avoid another vehicle and hit the median island, wedging into the side of the stationary Brisbane City Council bus.
Queensland Police have reportedly fined the driver of the other vehicle, a black SsangYong, for driving without due care and attention.
The bus was travelling on the UQ Lakes to Calamvale 139 route and on its way back to the Sherwood Bus Depot.
While there were no fare-paying passengers on board at the time of the accident, the bus driver’s wife had boarded at the bus’s final stop, which is considered a breach of bus driving rules.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has written to Council’s CEO to ensure any admonishment for allowing his wife on board is kept to a minimum, reflecting the driver’s heroic actions.
The bus driver and his wife did not sustain any injuries, and the driver of the Yaris was reportedly taken to hospital and treated for shock.
The driver has driven Brisbane buses for more than seven years, receiving many public commendations over his years of service.
There are more than 1200 buses in Brisbane’s fleet which are driven by over 2700 bus drivers.
Around 3.4 million bus trips were undertaken across Brisbane last financial year, covering over 75.6 million kilometres.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner
“I’ve seen the footage and I still can’t believe everyone walked away.
“Seeing a car wedged into the side of a bus is something you’d expect in a movie, not on the streets of Brisbane.
“The real story isn’t just the crash, it’s what our driver did next.
“The footage shows the bus driver ran towards danger to help a complete stranger.
“I am incredibly proud we have people like him driving our buses, helping to keep Brisbane moving.”
