Car crashes into Brisbane bus after becoming airborne; driver fined
Consensus Summary
A dramatic crash in Brisbane’s south saw a Toyota Yaris become airborne after hitting a traffic island and then wedge into the side of a Brisbane City Council bus at the intersection of Beaudesert and Granard roads in Rocklea. The driver of the Yaris, a 45-year-old Pallara woman, was taken to hospital in shock, while the bus driver, a 66-year-old man, was unharmed. Police later fined a 66-year-old Durack man $690 and gave him three demerit points for driving without due care and attention, as his vehicle had earlier attempted to merge from a centre lane. The incident occurred at 6:30pm on July 29, with no passengers on the bus. The Guardian compared the scene to a 1980 film, while the ABC released new CCTV footage and praised the bus driver’s calm response, noting he had served for at least seven years with commendations.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- A 45-year-old Pallara woman was the driver of the Toyota Yaris that became airborne and crashed into the bus
- A 66-year-old Durack man was fined $690 and given three demerit points for driving without due care and attention
- The crash occurred at the intersection of Beaudesert and Granard roads in Rocklea, Brisbane’s south
- The bus driver, a 66-year-old Sunnybank Hills man, did not sustain serious injuries (Guardian) and was praised for his calm response (ABC)
- The incident involved a blue Toyota Yaris hitting a traffic island and becoming airborne before striking the bus
- The driver of a black SsangYong vehicle attempted to merge from a centre lane and turn off near the intersection before the crash
- The bus had no passengers at the time of the crash
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The scene was compared to a 1980 film, *The Blues Brothers*, where a police car became wedged in a truck
- The driver of the Yaris was taken to hospital in shock
- The bus driver was described as a 66-year-old Sunnybank Hills man (not mentioned in ABC)
- The crash occurred at 6:30pm on July 29
- The bus driver had served for at least seven years and had multiple commendations from the public
- The bus was headed back to the depot with only the driver and his wife on board
- New CCTV footage from inside the bus was released showing the crash
- The bus driver assisted the woman from the car and into a bus seat, saying, 'Mate, everything's ok, we're fine'
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian mentions a 66-year-old Sunnybank Hills man as the bus driver, but the ABC does not specify his age or suburb
- The Guardian does not mention the bus driver’s tenure or commendations, while the ABC states he had served for at least seven years with multiple commendations
Source Articles
‘A car in the bus!’: Toyota becomes airborne and then wedges in side of Brisbane bus
Queensland police fine driver of another car that allegedly caused Yaris to swerve before it hit kerb and catapulted into air – and bus A Queensland driver has been fined after being involved in a stunning crash that saw a car become airborne and then stuck in the side of a bus. The drama unfolded at Rocklea in Brisbane’s south on Wednesday evening. A blue Toyota Yaris hit a traffic island and was catapulted into the air before smashing into the side of the council bus. The back of the car was l
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