Wangaratta bus crash, Victoria, Australia
S 36° 19.860 E 146° 20.720
55H E 441243 N 5979138
The scene of a horrific bus crash along Australia's busiest highway.
Waymark Code: WM8CXT
Location: Victoria, Australia
Date Posted: 03/14/2010
Views: 18
A collision between a semi-trailer truck and a coach occurred on this stretch of the Hume Highway (NH31), two kilometres north of Wangaratta. Nine people died and a further 35 were injuried.
The accident is believed to have occurred after a faulty suspension spring in the truck caused it to career into the coach. The accident occurred on a sweeping, undivided bend in the highway, known locally as the "S bend".
Passengers suffered head injuries after the top half of the driver's side of the bus was torn away. The accident was exacerbated after the bus rolled over and slid down a 4 metres embankment, coming to rest on its side in about a metre-deep lagoon.
Less than 12 months later, the much anticipated Wangaratta by-pass opened, significantly reducing the volume of traffic along this stretch of road.
Source: Emergency Management Australia