A fatal crash involving a bus and a 4WD towing a caravan occurred on the Bruce Highway near Gumlu in Queensland, Australia, this morning.
Three people died and several others were injured in the incident. The highway is currently closed in both directions.
According to police, 33 people were aboard the bus, and three of them died.
The identities of the three individuals who died have not been released.
According to the Queensland Ambulance Service, 27 patients were taken to the hospital, and 20 of them were in critical condition.
Graeme Paine, the police superintendent of the region, said the collision between the 4WD and the bus had a “very significant impact.”
At a press briefing this afternoon, Superintendent Graeme Paine described the incident as a “very tragic accident.”
He said that the police were still trying to determine the exact cause of the crash. Some of the injured passengers were taken to the Townsville Hospital and the Ayr Hospital. One individual was reportedly flown out of the area.
He noted that there were a number of people in the 4WD, but he was unaware of any of them sustaining injuries.
No additional details were provided regarding the condition of the bus driver.
Superintendent Paine noted that the impact of the accident would reach far beyond the individuals who were directly involved.
The superintendent praised the first responders and the members of the community who helped at the scene.
Those who witnessed the incident or have dashcam footage are asked to contact the police.
The situation has caused major delays for people traveling through the region, especially during the school holidays.
Superintendent Paine asked people to avoid the area unless it was absolutely necessary.
According to the Townsville Bulletin, the bus was traveling between Townsville and Bowen when the accident occurred. It was resting on the train tracks.
A Greyhound bus was shown with extensive damage to its front in images from the scene.
The Queensland Ambulance Service reported earlier that paramedics were on the scene assessing the injured following the two-vehicle crash on the Bruce Highway.
Two helicopters were also sent to the scene. Central Queensland Rescue posted images of one of the helicopters on the scene, which it claimed was taking multiple casualties.