A bus driver has died after a man poured flammable liquid on him and set him alight at a bus stop at Moorooka in Brisbane’s south, police say.
Six people were on the council bus at the time of the attack, Superintendent Jim Keogh said, with a number treated for minor injuries and smoke inhalation.
Onlookers broke through the back doors of the bus to get the passengers out.
Superintendent Keogh said a 48-year-old man is in police custody.
“The driver was set alight and is now deceased,” he said.
“The passengers are traumatised… the fire was substantial, he would have stood little chance.
“It was rather rapid.”
Superintendent Keogh said it appeared to be a random attack and was being treated as a homicide investigation.
“Words escape me, it’s a horrific incident here in the quiet suburb of Moorooka,” he said.
“A bus driver, going about doing his business, supporting the community, has had his life taken from him in what is a senseless and needless act.”
Superintendent Keogh said the passengers were visibly shaken and considering themselves lucky.
Top Comments
He woke up that morning doing the usual routine, probably had some cornflakes, toast and a cup of tea and was thinking about the latest episode of whatever he and his wife had taped. Now he's dead.
Yet still, no-one is calling to shut down the bus service he worked on or any other project where workers die.
I know I am stating the obvious but this makes me very sad to see the photos of this friendly looking man with the big smile and to think his life has been taken this way, and so young also.