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Bus driver dies after being doused in fuel and set alight in Brisbane Bus driver dies after being doused in fuel and set alight in Brisbane
(35 minutes later)
A young bus driver is dead after being doused in a flammable liquid and set on fire just after the peak-hour rush in Brisbane.A young bus driver is dead after being doused in a flammable liquid and set on fire just after the peak-hour rush in Brisbane.
A 48-year-old man is in custody over the attack on the 29-year-old driver at Moorooka.A 48-year-old man is in custody over the attack on the 29-year-old driver at Moorooka.
Police say it appears to be a random attack and there’s no suggestion it is terrorism related. A murder investigation has been launched.Police say it appears to be a random attack and there’s no suggestion it is terrorism related. A murder investigation has been launched.
Superintendent Jim Keogh said six people were on the bus and three were waiting to board it when it pulled up at a bus stop on Beaudesert Road about 9am on Friday.Superintendent Jim Keogh said six people were on the bus and three were waiting to board it when it pulled up at a bus stop on Beaudesert Road about 9am on Friday.
It’s alleged one of the three people who got on the bus tipped flammable liquid on the driver and then set him alight.It’s alleged one of the three people who got on the bus tipped flammable liquid on the driver and then set him alight.
“He stood little chance,” Keogh said. “Words escape me. It’s a horrific incident here in the quiet suburb of Moorooka.“He stood little chance,” Keogh said. “Words escape me. It’s a horrific incident here in the quiet suburb of Moorooka.
“A bus driver going about his business and helping the community has had his life taken in what is a senseless and needless act.”“A bus driver going about his business and helping the community has had his life taken in what is a senseless and needless act.”
Keogh said the incident could have been far worse.Keogh said the incident could have been far worse.
“The other passengers were lucky to get off, even more lucky the whole bus didn’t engulf in flames,” he said.“The other passengers were lucky to get off, even more lucky the whole bus didn’t engulf in flames,” he said.
The man was located at the scene. His mental state would be a key part of the investigation, police said.The man was located at the scene. His mental state would be a key part of the investigation, police said.
A taxi driver told the ABC he was walking past when the fire started and kicked in the back door of the bus to help free the passengers. Supt Keogh said the alleged attacker was arrested at the scene, and described him as “compliant”.
“Unfortunately, I couldn’t go inside because of the smoke” the unnamed man said. “You couldn’t even think of going in. The fire was just getting higher and higher.” The veteran police official said the taxi driver who kicked out the bus door may have saved people’s lives.
“The other passengers were lucky to get off, even more lucky the whole bus didn’t engulf in flames,” he said.
Nyok was walking past the bus stop when the fire erupted. He immediately took action and starting kicking in a rear door.
“Unfortunately, I couldn’t go inside because of the smoke, you couldn’t even think of going in. The fire was just getting higher and higher,” he told the ABC.
One witness said she helped passengers, including young children, get off the bus.One witness said she helped passengers, including young children, get off the bus.
“I was lucky, they (the kids) were lucky,” the witness told the ABC. “Mums were screaming ... I think they were lucky to survive.” “I was lucky, they (the kids) were lucky. Mums were screaming ... I think they were lucky to survive,” she told the ABC.
Another woman told of thrusting a fire extinguisher into the hands of a man to help battle the fire.
“I hear ‘go, go, go’ so I went out and someone said ‘give me water’. I go with him and see the bus burning and smoke coming,” she said.
The council said it was aware of the driver’s death and said a statement would be issued later in the day.