Members and staff of the exclusive Brisbane Club are grieving the loss of a female employee, after she was killed when a bus mounted the curb outside the premise.
Emergency services were called to the busy juncture of Adelaide and Edward Streets around 5pm Friday, to reports of a serious accident where a bus had crossed the footpath and pinned a young woman against a wall.
Having sustained critical injuries, the woman sadly died at the scene. She has been identified as the front-of-house receptionist at the Club.
Five passengers of the bus and the driver were assessed by paramedics and transported to hospital, with reportedly minor injuries.
The Forensic Crash Unit began an investigation, utilising camera footage from the bus and streets. Brisbane’s Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner, described the incident as a “devastating tragedy”.
“To the family and friends of Tia Cameron who tragically lost her life, and to everyone impacted, the thoughts, prayers and hearts of Brisbane are with you,” he posted on social media.
“I want to assure the people of Brisbane we will find answers,” said Schrinner, adding that until the investigation concluded, speculation is not “helpful”.
It has been reported that the bus had a routine brake test in February and will now undergo a thorough engineering investigation to check for mechanical failures.
The 70-year-old bus driver is said to have a good and safe driving history and has been operating the city’s buses for decades. He will not drive again until such time as he is cleared by the investigation, which will follow a “process of elimination” to reveal the facts.
Tom Brown, state secretary of the Rail Tram and Bus Union, representing the driver, expressed his condolences to the woman’s family and partner, pledging the union will co-operate fully with the investigation.
Several other bus drivers witnessed the accident, and are said to be also receiving counselling.
“On behalf of the Tram and Bus Division of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, I want to pass on my condolences to the family of the young woman who lost her life,” said Brown.
“Our hearts go out to Tia’s family. It’s impossible to imagine their grief.”
After the victim failed to come home, her boyfriend and family searched for her for hours. Police contacted the family and confirmed the tragic news around 11pm.
The Brisbane Club was established in 1903 and is a premium private institution in the Queensland capital. Tia Cameron’s colleagues at the Club are said to be devastated, and CEO Ted Stewart expressed his sincere condolences.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Christine Melrose, mother to Tia’s partner Hayden, to raise funds for the funeral.
“Tia will always be in our hearts forever. We will never forget that beautiful smile. Fly high beautiful, we will forever love and miss you.”
