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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
(about 2 hours 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 Brisbane bus driver is dead after being set on fire as he sat at the wheel in an attack that has left police, witnesses and workmates reeling.
A 48-year-old man is in custody over the attack on the 29-year-old driver at Moorooka. The 29-year-old driver was killed after a passenger climbed aboard his bus, doused him in a flammable liquid and set him ablaze at a Moorooka bus stop on Friday.
Police say it appears to be a random attack and there’s no suggestion it is terrorism related. A murder investigation has been launched. The man’s death was likely captured on cameras installed on Brisbane City Council busses.
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. A 48-year-old, described by police as “compliant”, was arrested at the scene and a murder investigation is underway.
It’s alleged one of the three people who got on the bus tipped flammable liquid on the driver and then set him alight. The crime played out in full view of horrified onlookers and just four weeks after the state government finally announced a review aimed at halting escalating attacks on bus drivers.
“He stood little chance,” Keogh said. “Words escape me. It’s a horrific incident here in the quiet suburb of Moorooka. Taxi driver Aguek Nyok, who kicked out the back door of the bus as it stood burning at the bus stop, is being hailed a hero for saving passengers, including children and their terrified mothers.
“A bus driver going about his business and helping the community has had his life taken in what is a senseless and needless act.” But there was nothing he could do to help the driver, who was hired by the council as a casual employeejust a few months ago.
Keogh said the incident could have been far worse. Police Superintendent Jim Keogh says the attack appears random and without motive, and terrorism is not suspected.
“The other passengers were lucky to get off, even more lucky the whole bus didn’t engulf in flames,” he said. “The fire was substantial, he (the driver) would have stood little chance,” he said.
The man was located at the scene. His mental state would be a key part of the investigation, police said. “Words escape me. It’s a horrific incident.”
Supt Keogh said the alleged attacker was arrested at the scene, and described him as “compliant”. Queensland’s premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, said this week had been one of tragedy for Queensland, with the attack coming just a few days after four people died on a ride at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast.
The veteran police official said the taxi driver who kicked out the bus door may have saved people’s lives. She said the horrific nature of the driver’s death was difficult to comprehend, and like the Dreamworld tragedy, there were witnesses who would need help to get over what they’d seen.
“The other passengers were lucky to get off, even more lucky the whole bus didn’t engulf in flames,” he said. “I know that all the thoughts of Queenslanders are with this young man’s family,” she told reporters.
Nyok was walking past the bus stop when the fire erupted. He immediately took action and starting kicking in a rear door. Flags at council buildings will be flown at half mast on Saturday as a mark of respect.
“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. The taxi driver credited with saving terrified passengers has told of his confusion after coming across the blazing bus.
One witness said she helped passengers, including young children, get off the bus. Nyok began kicking frantically at a back door when he heard people screaming to get out.
“I was lucky, they (the kids) were lucky. Mums were screaming ... I think they were lucky to survive,” she told the ABC. “I thought the driver would open the door for them but nah, I stood a few seconds and nothing was happening so I decided to do something about it,” he told the Nine Network.
Another woman told of thrusting a fire extinguisher into the hands of a man to help battle the fire. “Everyone was shaking ... I was just holding the door until the last one got out.”
“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. Witness Clair Savage said the cabbie was a hero.
The council said it was aware of the driver’s death and said a statement would be issued later in the day. “I just said to him ‘you just saved people’s lives’,” she said.
The passengers have been treated for smoke inhalation and shock and Supt Keogh said they were visibly traumatised.
Shock and anger has already started to emerge among other bus drivers, who’ve long bemoaned the lack of government action on driver safety.
Just four weeks ago, the Queensland government announced a wide-ranging review into bus driver safety, after sustained pressure from drivers and the Rail Tram and Bus Union.
In announcing the review, the transport minister, Stirling Hinchliffe, revealed there had been more than 350 assaults on bus drivers across the state in the previous six months.
Rail, Tram and Bus Union Queensland state secretary Tom Brown said the 29-year-old’s death was a terrible tragedy.
Brown said grief councillors would be available at bus depots including the main station in Sherwood.
“Many will be too upset to work,” Brown said. “The safety of our members remains our first priority.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the driver was a casual worker who had only been employed for a few months.
Quirk said flags would be flown half-mast at council buildings on Saturday as a sign of respect for the victim.
Council bus driver Craig Brown, who is still receiving counselling after being attacked on the job by an ice addict in November, said there should be nation-wide strike action.
“I believe the line has been drawn in the sand and it’s a point of no return,” he said in a Facebook post “Today has really shaken me up. It’s just rattled me to my core.”
Brown said council buses have duress alarms and CCTV for driver safety but were not fitted with screens or driver cages like in some other states.