Major crash investigate Sandy Gully crash with 47 people on board Pinnacle Tour bus, Fishermen’s Co-op truck

Major crash detectives continue to investigate the cause of a crash involving a tour coach with 47 people on board and a truck in Sandy Gully last Friday, as both companies co-operate with police. The collision, which caused the windows on both sides of an Australian Pinnacle Tour bus to implode, occurred on Port Gregory Road, about 6km west of Northampton, just after 9am on September 15. A Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-operative truck was travelling west towards Kalbarri the same time the tour bus was travelling towards Northampton when the truck side swiped the bus, according to police. Emergency services rushed to the scene and transported 12 passengers to hospital for treatment of minor facial cuts and abrasions, as well as another two elderly women for more serious injuries, including facial fractures. The truck driver was treated at the scene. A Pinnacle Travel Group statement said the safety and well-being of customers and staff were a top priority and they were fully co-operating with authorities as they investigate the incident. “We commend our dedicated driver for their swift and professional response in handling the situation, ensuring the well-being of our passengers,” they said. “We are immensely grateful for their expertise and extend our gratitude to the dedicated emergency responders who promptly arrived at the scene.” The statement said passengers were transferred to a hotel in Perth to ensure their comfort and care following the incident. Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-Operative CEO Matt Rutter said the company would not comment on the matter while it was under investigation but was helping with police inquiries. “Our primary focus at this point in time is the physical and mental wellbeing of staff involved in the incident and the ongoing safety of all our staff,” he said. Mid West-Gascoyne traffic officer-in-charge Sgt George Tilbury said this type of crash was concerning because it could have had more serious consequences. “We’ve seen elsewhere in Australia at times where coach buses have been involved in crashes which resulted in fatalities and very serious injuries,” he said. “It’s very fortunate on this occasion the truck involved is a smaller truck, if it had been a much larger road train for example, the injuries would have been much more serious than what we’ve seen here today.” Major crash officers attended the scene to investigate. Anyone with information regarding this crash, or who saw the truck or bus leading up to the collision, is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at crimestopperswa.com.au.