Tourist killed in horror Queensland bus crash identified
The woman who was killed in a bus crash on a major Queensland highway that left multiple other people injured has been identified as a young tourist.
Serena Andreatta was an Argentine and Italian national who had previously been travelling through Southeast Asia before making it to Australia.
The 26-year-old was on a FlixBus partner coach travelling from Cairns to Airlie Beach before it rolled off the road near Gumlu, about 135 kilometres south of Townsville.
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Queensland Ambulance paramedics assessed 29 passengers, many of them foreigners, including the 70-year-old driver who suffered minor injuries.
Andreatta died in hospital from her injuries.
"They're young people living their life, a trip of a lifetime in a foreign country. And to have that stripped away is just so deeply, deeply troubling," Premier David Crisafulli said.
Two others suffered life-threatening injuries and were airlifted to hospital.
Everyone else was taken by road to hospitals in Ayr, Bowen and Townsville.
This morning, two people remain in hospital, including Andreatta's friend.
The driver was released from Bowen hospital, but has yet to speak with authorities about the crash.
Superintendent Dean Cavanagh described the scene as confronting and complex.
The high proportion of foreign nationals on board was challenging for both the investigation and the ability of police to support the families and their loved ones, he said.
"We'll make sure at the end of this investigation we look at not only what happened, but importantly why it happened," he said.
The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating and has appealed for any witnesses to come forward.
The crash happened near the scene of a 2024 crash involving a Greyhound bus that killed three women.
Crisafulli said more needs to be done to improve safety on the notorious stretch of the state's most vital transport route.
"I don't think the road is up to scratch," Crisafulli said.
"When you think that we've had over 40 people lose their life in a calendar year on a road like that, if that doesn't scream the need for action then I don't know what does."
The safety record of FlixBus is also now under the spotlight.
The company has said that speeding was not a factor and that their driver tested clean for both drugs and alcohol, but those details have yet to be confirmed by police.
In February, a 55-year-old driver was fined for careless driving after a Flixbus drove into a paddock at Alligator Creek outside Townsville.
The company said in a statement it was "heartbroken".
"Our thoughts are with their family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time."
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